Michael Bracewell Replaces Will Jacks at RCB for IPL 2023

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has roped in New Zealand’s premier white-ball all-rounder Michael Bracewell for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023). Bracewell, who went unsold in the last year’s auction has been called in as a replacement for England all-rounder Will Jacks.

RCB’s most expensive player in the IPL 2023 auction, Jacks was ruled out due to a muscle injury. The Englishmen was due to represent the Bangalore-based team in the upcoming IPL campaign after being picked up for Rs 3.2 crore at the auction.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Saturday, March 18, confirmed that Bracewell will take part in the biggest and the toughest T20 league in the world as he has been signed up as a replacement player. A delighted head coach of the New Zealand men’s team- Gary Stead was happy with Bracewell’s participation in the cash-rich league. Stead feels that Bracewell will learn a lot in the IPL and that will benefit the Black Caps in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, scheduled to take place in India.

“Michael’s been a key contributor to our white ball teams since making his debut last year. It’s exciting he’ll get a chance to take up the learning opportunities the IPL provides – particularly as a spin bowling all-rounder. With a World Cup in India this year it’s great to have players getting more experience in those conditions,” said Gary Stead.

Bracewell Comes in Place of Jacks

Earlier the NZC picked him in the ODI squad for the three-match series, but now he has been released ahead of the series at the request of RCB. The spin-bowling all-rounder will join the RCB camp before the start of the IPL. In Bracewell’s place, New Zealand have called-up Wellington all-rounder Rachin Ravindra. He has played Test and T20I cricket for the Black Caps but is uncapped in the one-day format. The left-arm spin bowling all-rounder will assemble with the ODI squad in Auckland on Wednesday, ahead of the first ODI of the series at Eden Park on Saturday, March 25.

A brilliant hitter of the white ball and a canny operator with the ball, New Zealand’s multi-faceted player- Bracewell should be a fine replacement for Jacks. He is a wily customer with the ball and with the bat can hit a few lusty blows while batting in the middle order. The 32-year-old Kiwi cricketer should complement other players of his team well.