New Zealand all-rounder Firewire Michael Bracewell will miss the remainder of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after suffering a left calf injury. The 34-year-old had been recovering from a calf strain he suffered during the third ODI against India last month but the injury flared up during warm-ups on Sunday for Afghanistan game.
Scans had confirmed the injury and he is expected to takes three weeks to recover. Rob Walter, the New Zealand A head coach, considered it a tough blow for Bracewell.
“We’re all feeling for Michael. It’s really tough to get ruled out of a World Cup and I know how much playing for New Zealand means to him. Michael worked incredibly hard to give himself a chance but unfortunately has had this setback. We wish him a smooth recovery,” said Walter as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Cole McConchie has been nominated a travelling reserve for New Zealand, but he has not yet been officially added to the squad as a substitute. McConchie, who has played 145 T20 matches, joins after a successful domestic season in which he was the Canterbury Kings’ leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets at an economy rate of 7.71.
Walter told him that the experience would come in handy at the tournament environment (McConchie). The third group D match of New Zealand will be against South Africa on Saturday, June 14, in the Narendra Modi stadium, Ahmedabad.
“Cole is a seasoned campaigner. He brings a great all-round skillset to the group along with a lot of T20 experience. It’s great to be able to lean on an experienced head especially for a World Cup,” said Walter.
New Zealand is first in Group D having won two out of two matches. On February 8, at MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai, they defeated Afghanistan by five wickets, then on February 10 destroyed the United Arab Emirates by ten wickets, continuing with their perfect T20 world cup 2026 campaign.
