New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing an end to a decade-long career. The 35-year-old, who last represented the Black Caps in a Test match in 2023, decided to retire after struggling with a persistent rib injury that had ruled him out of domestic action this season.
Bracewell’s decision to retire comes after ongoing fitness concerns, particularly a rib injury that prevented him from playing for Central Districts in the current domestic
season. While he remained hopeful of extending his career, the physical toll eventually forced him to step away from the game. His final international appearance came against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 2023.
Bracewell played 69 international matches for New Zealand across formats, featuring in 28 Tests, 21 ODIs, and 20 T20Is between 2011 and 2023. His standout moment came in just his third Test, during the 2011 Hobart Test against Australia. Bracewell ended with match figures of 9 for 60, including a second-innings spell, to lead New Zealand to a famous seven-run victory. That win ended a 26-year wait for a Test victory in Australia and remains New Zealand’s last Test triumph on Australian soil.
"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. 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 said via a statement from Central Districts.
Bracewell ended with 120 international wickets
In Test cricket, Bracewell finished with 74 wickets at an average of 38.82 and also contributed 568 runs. In white-ball formats, he picked up 26 wickets in ODIs and 20 in T20Is. Across his international career, he took 120 wickets and scored 915 runs.
At the domestic level, he enjoyed a long and productive career with Central Districts. He retires with the rare feat of scoring over 4,000 runs and taking more than 400 wickets in New Zealand first-class cricket. In 137 first-class matches, Bracewell took 437 wickets at 31.08 and scored 4,505 runs, including three centuries. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old has also featured in franchise leagues, representing the Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2012, the Joburg Super Kings in SA20 2024, and the Central Stags in the Global Super League earlier this year.
