Michael Bracewell is loving 2022 after making his ODI and Test debuts for Aotearoa this year, with a T20I debut likely to come in the upcoming series against Ireland. Momentum is a powerful force which has propelled Bracewell's swift rise through Aotearoa cricket as Bracewell has showcased his cricketing mana at the right time with Blackcaps venturing into their pool of depth. Let Bracewell's Test mahi drift away as he now chases hearty T20I performances to embed himself in Aotearoa's T20I squad.

In three ODIs against Ireland, Bracewell was essentially in T20 mode. Bracewell had a strike-rate over 100 in all three games and finished with a strike-rate of 137.68 across the series, batting lower down the order than he usually does with Wellington. In each of these games, Bracewell adapted to different scenarios and his ability to win games with swashbuckling strokes or craft his way through to a strong position could be crucial for Aotearoa moving forward.

The Bracewell yarn is complex as he hasn't dominated in one format across multiple seasons and that's why Bracewell didn't crack Blackcaps cricket until now. An easy example is last season when Bracewell averaged 19 in Plunket Shield cricket and 79.66 in Super Smash. Bracewell has always been solid and among Aotearoa's best domestic cricketers, although he didn't dominate consistently. Bracewell also dabbled in Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy bowling, but only started to churn out Super Smash overs in 2019/20.

Bracewell oozes cricketing pedigree and his mana as a Wellington Firebirds leader is immense, which is why Bracewell was able to snap up opportunities. Since being the best player in the Aotearoa '11' vs Netherland series earlier this year, Bracewell has shown flashes of his talents for Aotearoa and his recent mahi against Ireland encapsulates that rise up the depth chart.

Now Bracewell is in the T20I squad, likely to make his Aotearoa debut and start to build his case for T20 World Cup selection. Intrigue for Bracewell in this series revolves around his middle-lower order efficiency where he is likely in competition with Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman. All five of these lads are in the squad to face Ireland and apart from a Martin Guptill/Finn Allen opening combo, these five will probably make up the rest of the batting line up depending on which bowlers are used.

Neesham, Mitchell and Phillips all played in the T20 World Cup final. Mitchell opened alongside Guptill but is unlikely to play that role vs Ireland. Tim Seifert was the wicket-keeper and has drifted into the abyss, leaving this crop of all-rounders to compete for a few spots. Bracewell has the least T20I experience, but he is in the best form and has the best senses for how to win a cricket game.

Everyone knows Bracewell's knock at Pukekura Park last summer, which was similar to his knock in the first ODI against Ireland. Bracewell has also won two Super Smash campaigns with Wellington and he did something funky in both finals; 23* @ 135.29sr in 2019/20 and 2w in 1 over during the 2020/21 final.

Not many blokes are winning like Bracewell, which is where his mana stems from. Bracewell has already tasted runs against Ireland and as the path to T20 World Cup selection opens up for him, Bracewell will be eager to replicate his recent mahi in T20I cricket against Ireland.

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