1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,467 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,907 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zed b SO. 3 00:00:13,027 --> 00:00:16,067 Speaker 2: As mentioned, the white ball segment of the international home 4 00:00:16,347 --> 00:00:19,547 Speaker 2: summer is underway tonight. The Black Camps face Sri Lanka 5 00:00:19,707 --> 00:00:23,307 Speaker 2: Bayoval Mount Monganouer in the first of three T twenty Internationals, 6 00:00:23,707 --> 00:00:27,707 Speaker 2: then three One Day Internationals against the same opposition Wellington 7 00:00:27,747 --> 00:00:30,107 Speaker 2: or round of Michael Bracewell and the New Zealand squad 8 00:00:30,147 --> 00:00:31,147 Speaker 2: for both of these series. 9 00:00:31,267 --> 00:00:34,827 Speaker 3: Four needed up two balls. He laps at. 10 00:00:34,667 --> 00:00:38,387 Speaker 2: That's over the head, that's gonna run away and Michael 11 00:00:38,467 --> 00:00:40,627 Speaker 2: brace Waite he stands. 12 00:00:40,227 --> 00:00:42,107 Speaker 3: Out, the players run out. 13 00:00:42,587 --> 00:00:45,827 Speaker 2: The greatest cittis the twenty twenty cricket and you Zeeland 14 00:00:45,867 --> 00:00:46,867 Speaker 2: domestic history. 15 00:00:47,707 --> 00:00:51,107 Speaker 3: He's lifted by his teammates. The hands up that is 16 00:00:51,307 --> 00:00:52,587 Speaker 3: simply outstanding. 17 00:00:53,147 --> 00:00:56,107 Speaker 2: Michael Bracewell is with us out of Mount monganou Thanks 18 00:00:56,107 --> 00:00:57,827 Speaker 2: for taking the time on game day, Michael. You had 19 00:00:57,827 --> 00:01:00,827 Speaker 2: to look at Sri Lanka quite recently back in November. 20 00:01:00,947 --> 00:01:04,227 Speaker 2: He had T twenty and one Day internationals against them 21 00:01:04,307 --> 00:01:06,267 Speaker 2: over there. How do you reckon you match up a 22 00:01:06,507 --> 00:01:09,107 Speaker 2: stish rollank and cricket side in the white ball stuff? 23 00:01:10,267 --> 00:01:13,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, we obviously playing in very different conditions over there. 24 00:01:13,587 --> 00:01:17,707 Speaker 3: In Shoka had a tied series, so it'd be cool 25 00:01:17,747 --> 00:01:20,227 Speaker 3: to extend that out, and it was one all in 26 00:01:20,267 --> 00:01:23,547 Speaker 3: that series, so it will be cool to have three 27 00:01:23,627 --> 00:01:26,387 Speaker 3: here and hopefully find a winner between the two teams. 28 00:01:26,587 --> 00:01:29,027 Speaker 2: Do you think I mean, it probably stands to reason 29 00:01:29,067 --> 00:01:31,307 Speaker 2: that home conditions would favor New Zealand, But do you 30 00:01:31,347 --> 00:01:32,467 Speaker 2: think that will be the case? 31 00:01:33,907 --> 00:01:35,627 Speaker 3: Oh? Look, I think it's going to be a great 32 00:01:35,667 --> 00:01:39,107 Speaker 3: series or that we tightally contested. I think with all 33 00:01:39,107 --> 00:01:41,467 Speaker 3: the cricket being played all around the world now, with 34 00:01:41,547 --> 00:01:46,147 Speaker 3: the franchise leagues and things, that the home advantage probably 35 00:01:46,507 --> 00:01:50,067 Speaker 3: isn't quite what it used to be. You see New 36 00:01:50,147 --> 00:01:52,787 Speaker 3: Zealand going over and winning tes series in India, which 37 00:01:53,227 --> 00:01:56,227 Speaker 3: has never been done before, and then vice versa when 38 00:01:56,267 --> 00:01:59,547 Speaker 3: India come the games are very close here. So I 39 00:01:59,587 --> 00:02:05,547 Speaker 3: think the development of the franchise leagues has really narrowed 40 00:02:05,547 --> 00:02:09,587 Speaker 3: the gap of of your home conditions being advantageous. But 41 00:02:10,227 --> 00:02:14,547 Speaker 3: I still think you've obviously spent all your formative years 42 00:02:14,547 --> 00:02:17,747 Speaker 3: playing on these wickets, so you like to think you 43 00:02:17,867 --> 00:02:19,147 Speaker 3: have a bit of an advantage. 44 00:02:19,267 --> 00:02:23,227 Speaker 2: Even still ask about your bowling in t twenties. Are 45 00:02:23,307 --> 00:02:26,707 Speaker 2: your economy really impressive? You go for less than six 46 00:02:26,747 --> 00:02:28,987 Speaker 2: and a half an over, that's across your entire T 47 00:02:28,987 --> 00:02:35,107 Speaker 2: twenty career. What is your T twenty bowling strategy? 48 00:02:35,227 --> 00:02:39,267 Speaker 3: Well, I think for me, I'm luckier in some ways. 49 00:02:39,267 --> 00:02:42,267 Speaker 3: I don't have a lot of variations, so it means 50 00:02:42,307 --> 00:02:45,307 Speaker 3: that I have to be really accurate with the balls 51 00:02:45,307 --> 00:02:48,427 Speaker 3: that I do bowl. So I guess some people who 52 00:02:48,467 --> 00:02:52,387 Speaker 3: have lots of variations probably stand at the top of 53 00:02:52,427 --> 00:02:55,347 Speaker 3: their mark wondering what ball to bowl, whereas I know 54 00:02:55,427 --> 00:02:57,347 Speaker 3: which one I have to bowl. It's just it's just 55 00:02:57,387 --> 00:03:01,627 Speaker 3: a matter of executing it. It does, I think, keep 56 00:03:01,707 --> 00:03:05,667 Speaker 3: things simple for me. But yeah, I guess other than that, 57 00:03:06,987 --> 00:03:11,147 Speaker 3: everyone sort of thinks that ride our mothstins a matchup, 58 00:03:11,267 --> 00:03:14,307 Speaker 3: so it means that that batters try and come after you, 59 00:03:14,387 --> 00:03:17,467 Speaker 3: which creates chances to look at and things as well. 60 00:03:17,747 --> 00:03:19,827 Speaker 2: Shrillinka do have quite a few left handers as well. 61 00:03:20,027 --> 00:03:22,307 Speaker 2: Does that bring you more into play as a wicket 62 00:03:22,307 --> 00:03:23,627 Speaker 2: taking bowler as a right I'm. 63 00:03:23,427 --> 00:03:27,627 Speaker 3: Offy, Yeah, I think so. Traditionally, when the ball's turning away, 64 00:03:27,667 --> 00:03:30,627 Speaker 3: it's a little bit tougher for the batsman, But twenty 65 00:03:30,667 --> 00:03:34,227 Speaker 3: twenty cricket. Now, no one sees anyone. Really, you've got 66 00:03:34,227 --> 00:03:39,147 Speaker 3: to take the game on. So I think, yeah, everyone's 67 00:03:39,187 --> 00:03:43,667 Speaker 3: looking to be aggressive against all spinners, particularly in New Zealand, 68 00:03:43,827 --> 00:03:47,507 Speaker 3: so we know that and that's something that we factor 69 00:03:47,547 --> 00:03:48,547 Speaker 3: into our plans and. 70 00:03:48,627 --> 00:03:50,187 Speaker 2: Just want to find a one on your bowling. Do 71 00:03:50,227 --> 00:03:53,427 Speaker 2: you have specific overs that you prefer to bowl in 72 00:03:53,507 --> 00:03:54,627 Speaker 2: a twenty over innings? 73 00:03:56,067 --> 00:03:56,227 Speaker 1: Oh? 74 00:03:56,347 --> 00:04:00,267 Speaker 3: Look, the power play is always difficult, but it's a 75 00:04:00,347 --> 00:04:03,027 Speaker 3: job that has to be done at times. And obviously 76 00:04:03,067 --> 00:04:05,147 Speaker 3: only having two fielders out is a little bit tricky, 77 00:04:05,227 --> 00:04:08,707 Speaker 3: but again that keeps things nice and simple because you 78 00:04:08,747 --> 00:04:12,027 Speaker 3: have to bowl to your field so there's some clarity 79 00:04:12,267 --> 00:04:14,467 Speaker 3: that comes with worth bowling in the power play. And 80 00:04:14,507 --> 00:04:17,107 Speaker 3: then yeah, when you've got when you've got the five 81 00:04:17,307 --> 00:04:19,147 Speaker 3: fielders out on the boundary, you feel like you have 82 00:04:19,147 --> 00:04:22,027 Speaker 3: a little bit more protection, but sometimes it's not any easier. 83 00:04:22,067 --> 00:04:24,787 Speaker 3: So look, they're all tough overs to bowl in a 84 00:04:24,867 --> 00:04:27,867 Speaker 3: twenty twenty, especially now when teams are looking to get 85 00:04:27,907 --> 00:04:31,027 Speaker 3: an excess of two hundred, So yeah, you try and 86 00:04:31,387 --> 00:04:33,267 Speaker 3: build a little bit of pressure and then and then 87 00:04:33,467 --> 00:04:34,867 Speaker 3: be really adaptable from there. 88 00:04:35,307 --> 00:04:38,667 Speaker 2: And with the bat you've floated around so various spots 89 00:04:38,707 --> 00:04:40,587 Speaker 2: in the in the middle order. Do you have a 90 00:04:40,667 --> 00:04:43,107 Speaker 2: natural home in the T twenty batting order? 91 00:04:44,707 --> 00:04:47,267 Speaker 3: Domestically, I've stayed a little bit more at the top 92 00:04:47,307 --> 00:04:50,027 Speaker 3: of the order and had a little bit success there. 93 00:04:50,067 --> 00:04:53,467 Speaker 3: But when you come into the international arena, you've sort 94 00:04:53,467 --> 00:04:55,987 Speaker 3: of just got to find a place that fits, and 95 00:04:56,027 --> 00:04:58,987 Speaker 3: for me that's down the middle to lower order at 96 00:04:59,027 --> 00:05:02,907 Speaker 3: the moment. So I'm just really trying to trying to 97 00:05:02,947 --> 00:05:07,347 Speaker 3: find how that role fits. My strengths really play to those, 98 00:05:07,427 --> 00:05:09,827 Speaker 3: so it is a little bit of trial an error 99 00:05:10,307 --> 00:05:14,107 Speaker 3: at times, but I think when you've got power, you 100 00:05:14,227 --> 00:05:17,347 Speaker 3: just try and back that And yeah, I probably haven't 101 00:05:17,347 --> 00:05:19,907 Speaker 3: had the success I would like in terms of my 102 00:05:19,987 --> 00:05:22,547 Speaker 3: batting at the moment, but I feel like a good 103 00:05:22,547 --> 00:05:25,427 Speaker 3: innings is just around the corner with sticking to my strengths. 104 00:05:25,947 --> 00:05:28,907 Speaker 2: Do you think you're scoring areas or the number of 105 00:05:28,947 --> 00:05:32,707 Speaker 2: areas in which you score have increased over time or 106 00:05:32,747 --> 00:05:35,787 Speaker 2: have you generally stuck to you know what you know? 107 00:05:35,867 --> 00:05:40,187 Speaker 3: Well, yeah, I think you're constantly trying to evolve your game, 108 00:05:40,267 --> 00:05:43,867 Speaker 3: and when you get up to the international level, there's 109 00:05:44,187 --> 00:05:46,787 Speaker 3: the bowlers are obviously a lot more skillful, so you 110 00:05:46,867 --> 00:05:49,387 Speaker 3: have to find different ways to score. So I've tried 111 00:05:49,387 --> 00:05:52,587 Speaker 3: to been I have tried to look to play a 112 00:05:52,627 --> 00:05:54,747 Speaker 3: little bit more around the ground in the international game, 113 00:05:54,787 --> 00:05:57,827 Speaker 3: and I think you know, the more that you work 114 00:05:57,867 --> 00:06:00,427 Speaker 3: on that, the more comfortable you get and the more 115 00:06:00,467 --> 00:06:02,507 Speaker 3: that you feel comfortable bringing them out in the middle. 116 00:06:02,547 --> 00:06:05,347 Speaker 3: So that's something I've worked really hard on, is to 117 00:06:05,427 --> 00:06:08,067 Speaker 3: develop my game position where I can score all round 118 00:06:08,107 --> 00:06:09,147 Speaker 3: the count And. 119 00:06:09,107 --> 00:06:11,307 Speaker 2: You're Wellington team make Tim Robinson is in the T 120 00:06:11,307 --> 00:06:13,547 Speaker 2: twenty squad for these ones. He'll open the batting, no doubt. 121 00:06:13,587 --> 00:06:16,227 Speaker 2: Are still early in his T twenty career. I think 122 00:06:16,267 --> 00:06:18,307 Speaker 2: this is the first time he'll play for New Zealand 123 00:06:18,387 --> 00:06:20,867 Speaker 2: in New Zealand. How do you assess his ability to 124 00:06:20,907 --> 00:06:23,867 Speaker 2: be a consistent international T twenty player. 125 00:06:24,427 --> 00:06:27,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, he's hitting the ball beautifully at the moment. He's 126 00:06:27,707 --> 00:06:30,747 Speaker 3: had a taste of what the Srilankin bowlers can offer 127 00:06:30,827 --> 00:06:34,027 Speaker 3: and obviously the wickets were not conducive to scoring a 128 00:06:34,027 --> 00:06:36,747 Speaker 3: whole lot of runs over there. Some of the games 129 00:06:36,787 --> 00:06:39,387 Speaker 3: there's only one hundred and twenty dred hundred runs scored. 130 00:06:39,467 --> 00:06:42,907 Speaker 3: So I think him having that experience and knowing what 131 00:06:43,227 --> 00:06:45,467 Speaker 3: Srilanki will be throwing out at the top of the order. 132 00:06:45,507 --> 00:06:49,747 Speaker 3: He'll be all the better for that experience. And he's 133 00:06:50,027 --> 00:06:53,027 Speaker 3: he's a young, young lad, but he's got an old 134 00:06:53,067 --> 00:06:55,387 Speaker 3: head on his shoulders, so he'll take it all in 135 00:06:55,387 --> 00:06:57,747 Speaker 3: his stride and I think it's going to be an 136 00:06:57,747 --> 00:07:00,467 Speaker 3: amazing series for him. He's, as I said, he's hitting 137 00:07:00,467 --> 00:07:03,187 Speaker 3: the board beautifully in the nets and all it takes 138 00:07:03,307 --> 00:07:05,067 Speaker 3: is one ball to come out of the middle. And 139 00:07:05,067 --> 00:07:06,627 Speaker 3: we've seen what he can do it the de stick 140 00:07:06,707 --> 00:07:09,987 Speaker 3: level and I'm sure that bat big score in international 141 00:07:09,987 --> 00:07:11,307 Speaker 3: cricket's not far away. 142 00:07:11,147 --> 00:07:13,747 Speaker 2: Indeed, and the games come thick and fast. The three 143 00:07:13,827 --> 00:07:17,787 Speaker 2: T twenties followed almost immediately by three One day internationals. 144 00:07:18,067 --> 00:07:20,947 Speaker 2: How easy do you find it now switching between the 145 00:07:20,987 --> 00:07:23,347 Speaker 2: two white ball formats fairly quickly? 146 00:07:24,507 --> 00:07:26,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, you just have to get used to it, Pioneer. 147 00:07:27,587 --> 00:07:29,907 Speaker 3: It's something that happens very quickly. I think we play 148 00:07:29,907 --> 00:07:33,507 Speaker 3: on the second and then the fifth in Wellington, so 149 00:07:33,547 --> 00:07:35,947 Speaker 3: you've only got a couple of days after your fly 150 00:07:36,507 --> 00:07:38,707 Speaker 3: after you fly in between cities as well to get 151 00:07:38,787 --> 00:07:41,707 Speaker 3: used to what's going on. So yeah, it's just something 152 00:07:41,787 --> 00:07:45,667 Speaker 3: that you're constantly changing between formats. The guys have just 153 00:07:45,707 --> 00:07:47,547 Speaker 3: come out of Test cricket and then going straight into 154 00:07:47,627 --> 00:07:50,027 Speaker 3: twenty twenty cricket for a lot of them. So yeah, 155 00:07:50,107 --> 00:07:53,187 Speaker 3: it's a part of the international game and what keeps 156 00:07:53,187 --> 00:07:56,147 Speaker 3: it interesting, I think. Yeah, this series is going to 157 00:07:56,147 --> 00:07:58,467 Speaker 3: be is going to be great. We're in a great 158 00:07:58,507 --> 00:08:01,147 Speaker 3: holiday spot here in the mount so hopefully we have 159 00:08:01,227 --> 00:08:03,147 Speaker 3: some amazing crowds up here as well. Yeah. 160 00:08:03,147 --> 00:08:04,947 Speaker 2: I was going to ask you about the venue there, Yeah, 161 00:08:05,027 --> 00:08:08,147 Speaker 2: Underlight Bay Oval holiday period. You like it as a venue, 162 00:08:08,187 --> 00:08:11,307 Speaker 2: the Bay Oval? Is it a place you like playing? 163 00:08:11,867 --> 00:08:15,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a beautiful ground hold a special place for 164 00:08:15,187 --> 00:08:17,867 Speaker 3: my heart. It's where I made my international debut, so 165 00:08:18,467 --> 00:08:22,347 Speaker 3: there's always some good memories there. And my dad actually 166 00:08:22,867 --> 00:08:26,907 Speaker 3: grew up in Todonga as well, so we used to 167 00:08:26,987 --> 00:08:30,587 Speaker 3: spend some school holidays coming up and visiting Grandma and 168 00:08:30,627 --> 00:08:33,747 Speaker 3: Glendad and so family up here. So yeah, it's a 169 00:08:33,787 --> 00:08:37,587 Speaker 3: special place for us and it's a beautiful ground. The 170 00:08:37,667 --> 00:08:39,947 Speaker 3: climate's amazing here. You can go down to the beach 171 00:08:40,107 --> 00:08:42,627 Speaker 3: to recover. Yeah, it is. 172 00:08:42,587 --> 00:08:45,467 Speaker 2: Pretty special, wonderful stuff. And I know you're only focusing 173 00:08:45,467 --> 00:08:48,667 Speaker 2: on these matches, but looking ahead, the champions Trophy comes 174 00:08:48,707 --> 00:08:51,707 Speaker 2: up February March. Is that something that's on your radar. 175 00:08:52,627 --> 00:08:56,627 Speaker 3: Yeah. I think those ODI eyes especially will be a 176 00:08:56,627 --> 00:08:59,427 Speaker 3: good chance as a team to really try and hone 177 00:08:59,467 --> 00:09:02,187 Speaker 3: it on how we want to play odio cricket and 178 00:09:02,867 --> 00:09:05,027 Speaker 3: any chance you get to play for New Zealand is 179 00:09:05,067 --> 00:09:09,867 Speaker 3: an exciting opportunity. And obviously the Champions Trophy adds a 180 00:09:09,867 --> 00:09:12,067 Speaker 3: little bit more context to that. Was just being the 181 00:09:12,147 --> 00:09:16,547 Speaker 3: last series before that, before that Champions Trophy. So yeah, 182 00:09:16,947 --> 00:09:21,787 Speaker 3: it's always exciting to be playing international cricket and it's 183 00:09:21,827 --> 00:09:23,587 Speaker 3: going to be a great series against Sri Lanka and 184 00:09:23,627 --> 00:09:26,187 Speaker 3: then I guess yeah, those things will sort of take 185 00:09:26,187 --> 00:09:28,547 Speaker 3: care of themselves as we as we look forward to 186 00:09:28,547 --> 00:09:29,907 Speaker 3: that Champions Trophy after that. 187 00:09:30,107 --> 00:09:32,267 Speaker 2: Looking forward to the first of three T twenties tonight 188 00:09:32,267 --> 00:09:34,507 Speaker 2: Byoval mat I'm going to be Michael. Always appreciate your time, 189 00:09:34,507 --> 00:09:35,267 Speaker 2: Thanks for having a. 190 00:09:35,307 --> 00:09:37,627 Speaker 3: Chat to us. Cheers, Fanny, thanks for having me now. 191 00:09:37,507 --> 00:09:39,747 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us, Michael, Michael brace will there. So 192 00:09:39,827 --> 00:09:43,867 Speaker 2: the first of three T twenty internationals Bayoval tonight seven fifteen, 193 00:09:44,467 --> 00:09:47,907 Speaker 2: The next one Monday night, same location, same time, and 194 00:09:47,947 --> 00:09:50,867 Speaker 2: then the third is on Thursday. That's the second of 195 00:09:50,947 --> 00:09:54,107 Speaker 2: January one to fifteen. In the afternoon at Saxton Oval. 196 00:09:54,347 --> 00:09:56,907 Speaker 2: Then as you had Michael mentioned there quickly into one 197 00:09:56,987 --> 00:10:00,147 Speaker 2: day international mode Sunday the fifth of January, so tomorrow 198 00:10:00,187 --> 00:10:03,187 Speaker 2: week at the Baseminent Reserve eleven am then said in 199 00:10:03,307 --> 00:10:06,707 Speaker 2: Park and Hamilton Wednesday the eighth at two pm, and 200 00:10:06,907 --> 00:10:10,187 Speaker 2: finally Saturday, the eleventh of January two o'clock at Eden 201 00:10:10,307 --> 00:10:13,067 Speaker 2: Park in Auckland. Just before we move on from this 202 00:10:13,227 --> 00:10:17,347 Speaker 2: match tonight, the eleven's been confirmed. Mitchell Santa did some 203 00:10:17,387 --> 00:10:19,587 Speaker 2: media he's the captain of course of the white ball sides. Now. 204 00:10:19,747 --> 00:10:22,227 Speaker 2: He did some media yesterday and confirmed that bj Jacobs 205 00:10:22,227 --> 00:10:25,347 Speaker 2: and Nathan Smith would drop out of the playing eleven. 206 00:10:25,467 --> 00:10:27,467 Speaker 2: So I'm just trying to work out who's going to 207 00:10:27,467 --> 00:10:29,907 Speaker 2: open the batting with Tim Robinson. I presume it'll be 208 00:10:29,947 --> 00:10:33,987 Speaker 2: either rich In, Revendra or Mark Chapman. They feel like 209 00:10:34,027 --> 00:10:37,467 Speaker 2: the top three Robinson Revendra Chapman, then Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, 210 00:10:37,507 --> 00:10:40,387 Speaker 2: Michael Brace, while Mitchell Santner, Mitch Hay who's going to 211 00:10:40,427 --> 00:10:43,067 Speaker 2: keep wick At, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Zach Folks. 212 00:10:43,347 --> 00:10:45,987 Speaker 2: It's an exciting looking side for the first T twenty 213 00:10:46,027 --> 00:10:49,827 Speaker 2: international against Sri Lanka tonight. Yes, I would have thought 214 00:10:50,187 --> 00:10:52,787 Speaker 2: in the absence of BJ Jacobs soho, I guess would 215 00:10:52,787 --> 00:10:55,107 Speaker 2: have perhaps been a candidate to open the batting No 216 00:10:55,187 --> 00:10:58,227 Speaker 2: finnellum there in this series that yeah, it might be 217 00:10:58,307 --> 00:11:00,867 Speaker 2: rich and Revendra and Tim Robinson who formed an all 218 00:11:00,867 --> 00:11:03,987 Speaker 2: Wellington opening batting partnership. Tonight. I guess we'll have to 219 00:11:04,027 --> 00:11:06,027 Speaker 2: wait and see. Plenty of bowling options there for Mitchell 220 00:11:06,027 --> 00:11:08,427 Speaker 2: Santon up as well. 221 00:11:08,547 --> 00:11:11,747 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 222 00:11:11,827 --> 00:11:15,147 Speaker 1: to news Talks at b Weekends from midday, or follow 223 00:11:15,147 --> 00:11:16,787 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio