Doug Bracewell's talent learnt from the best
"Doug Bracewell was always going to be a tough customer," writes Ian Snook for Fairfax Media
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
"Doug Bracewell was always going to be a tough customer," writes Ian Snook for Fairfax Media. "He had to be just to keep up with his father Brendon. As a three-year-old he fully comprehended "line" and "length" when bowling in the nets and he understood the punishment if the ball travelled down the leg side. This lad was getting ready to play Test cricket."
Brendon is no ordinary individual and no ordinary coach. Cricket oozes out of every part of his body. A New Zealand international at the age of 18, 77 first class games amidst a series of injuries, and most recently running independent academies for 15 years, he virtually swims in a pool of cricket every day. Just as importantly, the cricket skills he develops in the youngsters through his academy are the life skills he installs. Nicknamed the "Get Hard Academy" by many of his former pupils, Bracewell went about developing independent and strong thinkers, preparing them to be decisive and clear decision makers on the field.
George Binoy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo