'I don't have a favourite Aussie'
The latest Bracewell in international cricket may be named after a star from across the pond, but Australians aren't quite top of his list
Interview by Sharda Ugra
23-Apr-2012
Doug Bracewell: knows the truth about butter chicken • Associated Press
Which Doug are you named after - your uncle Douglas William Bracewell or Doug Walters?
Doug Walters. My dad was a huge fan and knows him quite well, and he's come out to NZ a couple of times and helped on my Dad's academy. Dad's loved him as a cricketer and a good bloke and he's named me after him. The last time he came out to New Zealand and saw us when I was in high school, I was about 16 - about five-six years ago.
Doug Walters. My dad was a huge fan and knows him quite well, and he's come out to NZ a couple of times and helped on my Dad's academy. Dad's loved him as a cricketer and a good bloke and he's named me after him. The last time he came out to New Zealand and saw us when I was in high school, I was about 16 - about five-six years ago.
Did he call you after Hobart to say well done?
No. I haven't heard from him for a while.
No. I haven't heard from him for a while.
Is he your favourite Aussie?
I don't have a favourite Aussie.
I don't have a favourite Aussie.
Is there any man in the Bracewell clan who hasn't played cricket?
There's only one - Uncle Richard. He hasn't had much sporting background. The others have played rugby and cricket. My uncle Mark played first-class rugby, and also my Dad. I played rugby until high school and I had to choose.
There's only one - Uncle Richard. He hasn't had much sporting background. The others have played rugby and cricket. My uncle Mark played first-class rugby, and also my Dad. I played rugby until high school and I had to choose.
How come you chose cricket?
Well, in high school I liked rugby more. But I broke my ankle, which ended my rugby season, and then in cricket I got selected for my associate and I started getting paid, so rugby kind of fell off the list.
Well, in high school I liked rugby more. But I broke my ankle, which ended my rugby season, and then in cricket I got selected for my associate and I started getting paid, so rugby kind of fell off the list.
How many Bracewells have played in a match together? All six at any time? At any level?
No, never. My uncles played against each other a couple of times. There's good stories there. I played with my cousin, who is my age, at the Under-19 World Cup. Two of my uncles played on the same rugby team, I think.
No, never. My uncles played against each other a couple of times. There's good stories there. I played with my cousin, who is my age, at the Under-19 World Cup. Two of my uncles played on the same rugby team, I think.
Where were you when the All Blacks won the World Cup?
In Zimbabwe on a cricket tour. We could only see the first half because we were on the bus - we stopped and watched the first half and then had to leave. One of the guys was Skype-ing his girlfriend and she had her computer up to her TV, so we were watching that. There was a bit of shouting in the bus, and we were very happy. A couple of guys were asleep and tired from the night before, but most of the boys were watching.
In Zimbabwe on a cricket tour. We could only see the first half because we were on the bus - we stopped and watched the first half and then had to leave. One of the guys was Skype-ing his girlfriend and she had her computer up to her TV, so we were watching that. There was a bit of shouting in the bus, and we were very happy. A couple of guys were asleep and tired from the night before, but most of the boys were watching.
What was the hardest exercise at your Dad's academy?
There were a few. There was a park - my Dad called it "Get Hard Park" - it was down the road from the academy and he would make us do sprints up a very steep hill. Good for you, but tough. That was the hardest.
There were a few. There was a park - my Dad called it "Get Hard Park" - it was down the road from the academy and he would make us do sprints up a very steep hill. Good for you, but tough. That was the hardest.
My biggest weakness is probably fast food. Pizzas. I've eaten about 20 here already
Tell us about your tattoo. Does it mean anything?
The one that's on my forearm doesn't mean anything - it's just a design I like. The one that goes up my shoulder is all family-oriented, all my brothers and sisters, mum, dad, nephews and nieces. It's just family and where I was born. It is called korus - each wave represents a family member.
The one that's on my forearm doesn't mean anything - it's just a design I like. The one that goes up my shoulder is all family-oriented, all my brothers and sisters, mum, dad, nephews and nieces. It's just family and where I was born. It is called korus - each wave represents a family member.
What's your biggest weakness?
There's a few things. But probably fast food. Pizzas. I've eaten about 20 here already.
There's a few things. But probably fast food. Pizzas. I've eaten about 20 here already.
Andy Roberts or Glenn McGrath?
Glenn McGrath - he was awesome.
Glenn McGrath - he was awesome.
What about the IPL has freaked you out?
The crowds are crazy. It was so loud. I don't think I'll get a crowd that loud. It was an eye-opener. It was a great feeling, being out there and entertaining so many fans.
The crowds are crazy. It was so loud. I don't think I'll get a crowd that loud. It was an eye-opener. It was a great feeling, being out there and entertaining so many fans.
We believe you were told that you don't get much butter chicken in India?
I heard from a few friends back home. They haven't been to India, so they don't know what they are talking about.
I heard from a few friends back home. They haven't been to India, so they don't know what they are talking about.
How do you find the situation on the ground, then?
I have had a few nice curries, and murgh tikka is the closest to a butter chicken, isn't it?
I have had a few nice curries, and murgh tikka is the closest to a butter chicken, isn't it?
The closest to a butter chicken is about half a kilometre from the Kotla.
Well, I do like a good butter chicken. The food here is definitely more spicy. I don't do well with spicy - mild medium is enough for me. But I've had a lot of hotel food, and the curries are very, very good at the ground.
Well, I do like a good butter chicken. The food here is definitely more spicy. I don't do well with spicy - mild medium is enough for me. But I've had a lot of hotel food, and the curries are very, very good at the ground.
Who's going to win the Under-19 World Cup this year?
New Zealand.
New Zealand.
Sharda Ugra is senior editor at ESPNcricinfo