Despite a late introduction to international cricket, at the age of 31, Michael Bracewell has made a name for himself in New Zealand cricket. A member of the Bracewell cricket dynasty, Michael is the nephew of former Test players Brendon and John Bracewell, and the cousin of current international player Doug Bracewell.

Bracewell first rose to the ranks when a contract with Wellington for the 2018–19 campaign was given to him in June 2018. Bracewell picked up his first five-wicket haul in First-Class cricket in round six of the 2019-20 Plunket Shield.

In the 2020–21 domestic cricket season, the all-rounder scored an unbeaten 141 against Central Stags on January 8, 2022, in Super Smash for Wellington Firebirds, the highest score in the T20 format in New Zealand. His innings took Wellington from a position of 43 for 5 to chasing down Central Districts' 227 with a ball remaining. This pushed him to the front of the selection queue for the national team.

In IPL 2023, New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as a replacement for the injured Will Jacks, joining the team for his base price of INR 1 crore despite not being picked in the auction.

Michael Bracewell ODI Career

At the age of 31, Michael Bracewell made his ODI debut on 29 March 2022, for New Zealand against the Netherlands. Only a few months later, the Masterton-born smashed his maiden century in the ODIs in July 2022 against Ireland and won it for the Blackcaps single-handedly.  

Moreover, in January 2023, Bracewell scored the third fastest ODI century for New Zealand in the first match of the series against India. With this, he equalled MS Dhoni's record of being the only batter to score more than one century while batting at number seven or below.

He was also a part of New Zealand's squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. In the final against India, Bracewell took 2 wickets in 10 overs for only 28 runs, though in the losing cause.

Michael Bracewell was named the stand-in captain of the New Zealand ODI team for the series in India, starting in January 2026, due to the absence of regular skipper Mitchell Santner. Notably, he led New Zealand to a historic ODI series win over a star-studded Indian side in January 2026.

Michael Bracewell T20I Career

Bracewell made his T20I debut on 18 July 2022 for New Zealand. Two days after his T20I debut, the off-spinning all-rounder scalped his maiden hat-trick in T20Is against Ireland, that too in the first over he bowled in an international match.

Michael Bracewell was announced captain of a New Zealand T20I squad for the first time in April 2024 for the away series against Pakistan.

Later, for his all-round ability, Michael Bracewell was named in New Zealand’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament.

Michael Bracewell Test Career

Michael Bracewell made his Test debut in New Zealand's 2022 tour of England on 10 June 2022, and came close to earning his side a series win in Pakistan, when he made a second-innings 74 not out and took four wickets in Karachi, but New Zealand couldn't take the final wicket and the series was drawn 0-0.

(As of February 2026)