Santner Applauds Bracewell’s Impact After Champions Trophy Heroics
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner was full of praise for spinner Michael Bracewell after his match-winning performance against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy. Bracewell delivered a sensational spell, taking 4-26, the best figures ever recorded by a New Zealand spinner in Champions Trophy history, surpassing Paul Wiseman’s 4-45 against Zimbabwe in 1998. His efforts played a crucial role in restricting Bangladesh to 236-9 in their 50 overs, setting up a comfortable chase for the Black Caps.
Bracewell’s Adjustments on Flat Tracks Impress Santner
Speaking after the victory, Santner highlighted Bracewell’s ability to adapt to conditions where spin is traditionally less effective.
“He’s a quality bowler now in the way he’s been able to change his pace on these wickets where it tends to be a touch flatter,” Santner said. “He’s been outstanding. The key in this tournament is to be able to take wickets in that middle phase, and today we were able to do that.”
Bracewell’s control and variations helped dismantle Bangladesh’s middle order, preventing them from building momentum in the crucial middle overs.
Ravindra’s Century Anchors the Chase
While Bracewell starred with the ball, it was Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant 112 that guided New Zealand to victory with 23 balls to spare. The left-hander, who was brought into the XI as a late replacement for the unwell Daryl Mitchell, showcased his class once again in an ICC event.
“He’s doing Rachin things. He loves ICC events and looked like he never left the game,” Santner remarked. “He wasn’t as fluent as he probably would have liked, but when he’s going, he’s tough to stop. That partnership with Tom really put us in a good spot.”
New Zealand Secures Semi-Final Spot, Clash Against India Looms
With this victory, New Zealand has officially booked their place in the Champions Trophy semi-finals, joining India in the knockout stage. The two teams will now face off in Dubai on Sunday to determine who tops Group A.
“It’s going to be another challenge on a different surface,” Santner said about the upcoming clash. “It looks like it’s a slower pitch than what we’ll get here. We’ll see what happens.”
Bangladesh Looks to Finish Strong Against Pakistan
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted his team fell short with the bat but remained optimistic ahead of their final group-stage match against Pakistan.
“It’s an important game. If we finish on a high note, it’ll give us a lot of confidence,” Shanto said, looking ahead to Thursday’s match despite Bangladesh being eliminated from the tournament.
With momentum on their side, New Zealand will aim to continue their winning run, while Bangladesh looks to end their campaign on a positive note.
