After a career spanning 18 years, Central Stags and BLACKCAPS allrounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all cricket.

The 35-year-old genuine allrounder debuted for the Stags in late 2008, at just 18, when he was already a New Zealand Under 19 representative.

Just three years later he was making his ODI, T20 International and Test debuts for the BLACKCAPS and, in just his third Test appearance, famously helped New Zealand to beat Australia in Hobart with a man-of-the-match performance, taking 6/40 in the nail-biting last innings for victory by seven runs.

Hobart hero | PHOTOSPORT

They remain his best figures for the BLACKCAPS in an international career that went on to encompass 28 Tests, 21 One-Day Internationals, and 20 T20 Internationals for New Zealand between the 2011/12 and 2022/23 seasons, as well as 77 first-class, 57 one-day and 72 T20 caps for the Stags.

Bracewell’s extensive career also saw him play globally, from stints in England’s County Cricket for Essex and Northamptonshire, to repping the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL and Joburg Super Kings in South Africa. 

However, a persistent rib injury means he has not been in action for the Stags this season, meaning his 206th and final appearance in the Central jersey goes down in the almanacks as the Stags’ first T20 at the Global Super League, in Guyana in July.

Bracewell said he would miss pulling on the Stags jersey.

“It’s been a proud part of my life, and something I aspired to as a young cricketer.

“I will always be grateful for the opportunities I have had through cricket, and the chance to play for my country, as well as for Central Districts, throughout my domestic career.

“I would like to take this time to acknowledge all the teammates I have played alongside, and the coaches and management who have been on this journey with me, for everything they have done for me.

“It’s a privilege to play first-class and international cricket, and I’m grateful to have played and enjoyed the game for as long as I have.”

Bracewell retires as the one of the few modern allrounders in the New Zealand game to have achieved the elite first-class double of 4,000 runs and 400 career wickets, with 3,029 of those runs and 258 of the wickets having been for Central — the best all-round record in the team’s history.

In Stags T20s, his double of 1,099 runs and 75 wickets is also without peer while he also finishes as one of the team’s leading one-day all-round practitioners with 63 wickets and 1,164 runs. 

He was selected as the Central Stags’ Player of the Year in 2021, spearheaded the Central pace contingent as a right-arm strike bowler and for much of his career owned the number six all-round spot in the order.

Central Districts Cricket CEO Lance Hamilton thanked Bracewell for his loyalty and service to Central Districts Cricket over his extensive career.

“Doug’s playing record will speak for itself for decades to come and the way he came back from a torn ligament in his knee in 2016 and further knee surgery in 2019 illustrated his determination.

“We wish Doug and his family all the best for the future.”

Central Districts Cricket will confirm a replacement on its 2025/26 season roster of contracted players in the coming weeks. 

• DOUG BRACEWELL

FOR THE NEW ZEALAND BLACKCAPS…

Tests

Debut: November 2011 v Zimbabwe in Bulawayo

Last Test: March 2023 v Sri Lanka in Wellington

Caps: 28

Runs: 568 (HS 47, Ave 13.85)

Wickets: 74 (Best 6/40, 2x 5wi, Ave 38.82)

Catches: 11

ODI

Debut: October 2011 v Zimbabwe in Harare

Last ODI: April 2022 v Netherlands in Hamilton

Caps: 21

Runs: 221 (HS 57, 1x50, Ave 18.41) 

Wickets: 26 (Best 4/55, 1x 4wi, Ave 32.50)

Catches: 5

T20i

Debut: October 2011 v Zimbabwe in Harare

Last T20i: September 2021 v Bangladesh in Mirpur

Caps: 20

Runs: 126 (HS 44, Ave 21.00)

Wickets: 20 (Best 3/25, Ave 23.50, SR 15.50)

Catches: 7

FOR CENTRAL STAGS…

First-class

Debut: November 2008 v Auckland in Napier (Nelson Park)

Last first-class: March 2024 v Auckland in Napier (McLean Park)*

*subsequently played three matches for Essex in 2025  Div 1 County Championship

Caps: 77

Runs: 3,029 (HS 105, 2x100, 19x50, Ave 29.69)

Wickets: 258 (Best 7/35, 7x 5wi, Ave 28.97)

Catches: 41

List A one-day

Debut: December 2008 v Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval

Last List A one-day: February 2024 v Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval

Caps: 57

Runs: 1,164 (HS 94, 6x50, Ave 28.39)

Wickets: 63 (Best 4/43, 4wix 2, Ave 33.87)

Catches: 18

List A T20

Debut: September 2010 v Chennai Super Kings in Durban (Champions League)

Last List A T20: July 2025 v Dubai Capitals in Georgetown (Guyana Global Super League)

Caps: 72

Runs: 1,099 (HS 93*, 3x50, Ave 29.70)

Wickets: 75 (Best 3/19, Ave 35.40)

Catches: 30

OVERALL CAREER…

First-class

Matches: 137

Runs: 4,505 (HS 105, 3x100, 24x50, Ave 25.45)

Wickets: 422 (Best 7/35, 11x 5wi, Ave 31.08)

Catches: 60

List A one-day

Matches: 93

Runs: 1,458 (HS 94, 7x50, Ave 24.30)

Wickets: 112 (Best 4/43, 4x 4wi, Ave 30.74)

Catches: 25

List A T20

Matches: 99

Runs: 1,274 (HS 93*, 3x50, Ave 27.69)

Wickets: 103 (Best 3/19, Ave 24.98, SR 17.49)

Catches: 41

Article added: Monday 29 December 2025