Bracewell aiming to become batting allrounder

New Zealand fast bowler Doug Bracewell has said he has been working on his batting for the last couple of years to become a batting allrounder. Bracewell, currently in Pretoria for a training camp, is part of the 16-man squad that will play two Tests in Zimbabwe later this month. The same squad will then head to South Africa for two Tests next month.

"I've always wanted to be [a batting allrounder] ever since I started playing first-class," Bracewell said in Pretoria. "Over the last couple of years I haven't really produced the numbers that I would have liked but I've put in quite a lot of hard work over the last year or two and starting to slowly see a few improvements. Hopefully I can keep working hard at it and get some runs."

In 25 Tests since his debut in 2011, Bracewell has scored 520 runs at an average of 13.33, with a high score of 47. In ODIs, he averages 9.83 in seven innings and in T20Is, he has 77 runs at an average of 25.66. Bracewell said he was happy with his performances last season before taking a break during the New Zealand winter.

"Overall, I was pretty happy with how the season went. Obviously, a lot of work-ons going forward, you always want to get better and improve. I've been working on the batting quite a lot and trying to improve on that and churn out some more runs. I don't reflect too much over the last summer, it's been done and now we've got some cricket to look forward to over here and a big summer coming up."

Bracewell took 18 wickets in four matches for Central Districts in the Plunket Shield, and averaged 33 with the bat in seven innings, with a highest score of 75. His batting fared much better in the Ford Trophy - New Zealand's domestic one-day competition. He struck two fifties in five innings and averaged nearly 40 with a strike rate of 98.14.

"I have had time off in off season and didn't go anywhere, rested after a long season," he said. "I've had a bit of time off actually. I haven't gone overseas and played, I've just had the body have a bit of a rest after a long season. Looking forward to get back into some cricket."

Fast bowler Matt Henry also joined the New Zealand squad in Pretoria this week. Henry was in England for over three months, representing Worcestershire. He played 11 matches in the NatWest T20 Blast, collecting seven wickets. He had more success in the County Championship - he took 27 wickets in six matches at an average of 26.51.

"Matt's bowled well and hasn't always had the reward so to see him get his reward at Northampton (8 for 88) was really satisfying," Worcestershire coach Steve Rhodes said. "He really clicked with his rhythm and swung the ball nicely. Maybe with him going away with the New Zealand team and readying himself for a Test series, it has put him in a good spot mentally as to how he feels about his bowling and form-wise.

"We shouldn't forget Matt's batting this year. This guy is averaging 45 in first-class cricket and played some important knocks as well in the white ball format. He is very good all-round cricketer but is also a tremendous bloke and he has fitted in so well in our dressing room. We really do wish him well in his time with New Zealand.

"Would I like to see him back one day? Yes, he is definitely the type of cricketer who appeals to us because he is whole-hearted, tries hard, is a talented bowler and we all know he can strike a rocket ball as well. He is definitely the type of cricketer, who, at some stage in the future, we would definitely love to have back."