Nathan Bracken

Nathan Bracken

Personal information
Full name	Nathan Wade Bracken
Born	12 September 1977 (1977-09-12) (age 34) Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
Nickname	Bracks, Andy G
Height	1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Batting style	Right-hand
Bowling style	Left-arm fast-medium
Role	Bowler
International information
National side	Australia
Test debut (cap 387)	4 December 2003 v India
Last Test	16 December 2005 v South Africa
ODI debut (cap 142)	11 January 2001 v West Indies
Last ODI	17 September 2009 v England
ODI shirt no.	59
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1998 – 2009	New South Wales
2004	Gloucestershire
2008–2010	Royal Challengers Bangalore
Career statistics
Competition	Test	ODI	FC	List A
Matches	5	116	67	201
Runs scored	70	198	1,007	373
Batting average	17.50	11.64	17.36	9.09
100s/50s	0/0	0/0	0/1	0/0
Top score	37	21*	63	21*
Balls bowled	1,110	5,759	13,634	10,105
Wickets	12	174	215	278
Bowling average	42.08	24.36	26.06	26.39
5 wickets in innings	0	2	9	3
10 wickets in match	0	n/a	0	n/a
Best bowling	4/48	5/47	7/4	5/38
Catches/stumpings	2/–	26/–	18/–	37/–
Source: CricketArchive, 19 September 2009

Nathan Wade Bracken (born 12 September 1977) is a former Australian cricketer. A tall left-arm fast-medium bowler, Bracken is capable of swinging the ball both ways. He has represented Australia in all forms of the game. Bracken represented New South Wales in Australian domestic cricket, Eastern Suburbs in Sydney Grade Cricket and also appeared for English County team Gloucestershire in 2004. On 28 January 2011 he announced his retirement from the game due to a chronic knee injury.

Early and personal life

Nathan Bracken was born in Penrith, New South Wales to parents Gordon and Robin.^[1] He spent his childhood living in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, attending Faulconbridge Primary and Springwood High School.^[2] He currently resides on the Central Coast of New South Wales and is married to Haley Rich-Bracken with whom he has a child named Chase.^[1][3] He is also studying for an undergraduate degree in communications.^[4]

Domestic career

First-class cricket

After a stint at the Australian Cricket Academy, Bracken made his first-class debut for New South Wales against Queensland on 27 October 1998 at Manuka Oval, Canberra. New South Wales were beaten by an innings and Bracken finished with figures of 0/86 off 41 overs.^[5] He played 5 more first-class matches in the 1998–99 season and finished with 11 wickets at a respectable average of 30.36.^[6] The 1999–00 season saw Bracken only play one match,^[7] however the 2000–01 season was one of great success for Bracken. He finished the season as New South Wales second leading wicket-taker behind Stuart MacGill with 29 wickets at 23.72.^[8] As a result of his outstanding season he was rewarded with a place in the Australian squad for the 2001 Ashes tour, a Cricket Australia contract and won the 2001 Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award.^[2][9]

After recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained on the 2001 Ashes tour, Bracken played 8 matches for New South Wales in the 2001–02 season. He had a successful season once again, claiming 24 wickets at 31.79 and finishing behind Stuart Clark as the second leading wicket taker for New South Wales.^[10] 2002–03 was a season that saw Bracken struggle as he only took 16 wickets in 6 matches at a rather expensive 36.62.^[11] 2003–04 saw Bracken make his Test debut and as a result, he appeared less frequently for New South Wales. Despite this, he still performed well in the 4 matches he participated in, taking 16 wickets at 24.75.^[12] Following this season, Bracken was signed by Gloucestershire to play in the English first-class competition as a replacement for Mike Smith.^[13] Bracken only played 2 matches for the club, however he was quite successful and took 5 wickets at 21.20 with best figures of 2/12 coming against Lancashire.^[14]

2004–05 was Bracken's best season for New South Wales to date. He played in all 11 matches and took 43 wickets at an average of 18.79.^[15] The season contained a number of memorable performances by Bracken including a phenomenal spell of 7/4 off 7 overs to help dismiss South Australia for a mere 29 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 2 December 2004.^[16] The figures were Bracken's best ever at the time, and are amongst the most impressive figures seen in Australian domestic cricket history. He also played an enormous part in New South Wales' thrilling 1 wicket win in the final against Queensland, winning Man of the Match. Bracken claimed 6/27 in 13.2 overs to help bowl out Queensland for 102 in their first innings and took an important 2/54 in their second innings.^[17] To add to this, Bracken scored an invaluable 11* to guide his team home to their target of 183 after New South Wales were 9/161, still needing 22 for victory.^[17] 2005–06 saw a return to the Test team for Bracken and as a result, fewer matches for New South Wales. Bracken still performed strongly in his few games, taking 13 wickets at 17.53.^[18] After only playing 2 matches in the 2006–07 season, the Blues enjoyed Bracken's services in their Pura Cup winning 2007–08 season as he appeared in the final and took 22 wickets at 21.22 during the season.^[19]

List A cricket

Bracken made his List A debut for New South Wales against the now defunct Canberra Comets on 31 October 1998 at Manuka Oval, Canberra. New South Wales won the match and Bracken was rather economical taking 0/19 off his 5 overs.^[20] After a Man of the Match performance against Queensland in the semi-final of the Mercantile Mutual Cup,^[21] Bracken was selected in the New South Wales team to meet Victoria in the final in only his 5th List A game. Bracken was economical, taking 0/28 off his 10 overs however New South Wales still lost the final by 39 runs.^[22]

After only playing one match in the 1999–00 season, the 2000–01 season proved to be a successful one for Bracken as he made his One Day International debut and helped New South Wales to win the Mercantile Mutual Cup. Bracken took 11 wickets at an average of 25.00, including figures of 2/43 in the final against Western Australia.^[23] He continued his good form into the 2001–02 season, helping New South Wales claim their second consecutive One Day title, this time over Queensland.^[24] Bracken took 18 wickets at 21.88 during the season, which included his best List A performance to date, as he took 5/38 against Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.^[25][26] 2002–03 was another successful season for both Bracken and New South Wales, as the Blues recorded their third consecutive domestic One Day title and Bracken claimed 15 scalps at 23.66.^[27] Bracken was once again a leading performer in the final, taking 2/35 off his 10 overs as New South Wales cruised to a 7 wicket win.^[28]

After three seasons of success, Bracken struggled for New South Wales in both the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons taking 3 wickets at 76.33 and 7 wickets at 44.71 respectively.^[29][30] International commitments left Bracken out of the side for a large majority of the 2005–06 One Day season, however he performed well in his limited appearances, claiming 5 wickets at 21.60.^[31] Once again, Bracken's international duties kept him out of a large majority of the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons and he took 3 wickets at 54.33 and 5 wickets at 37.80 respectively.^[32][33]

International career

Test cricket

Bracken made his Test debut for Australia on 4 December 2003 against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as a replacement for the injured Glenn McGrath. In a drawn Test, Bracken had a respectable debut Test claiming 1/90 off 26 overs in the first innings and 2/12 off 4 overs in the second.^[34] Despite this, Bracken was dropped for Western Australian paceman Brad Williams for the Second Test at Adelaide.^[35] The selectors chose Bracken ahead of Andrew Bichel for the final two Tests and in a drawn series that saw most bowlers struggle, he finished with 6 wickets at 58.50.^[36]

Due to the strength of fast bowling in Australia, Bracken was kept out of the Test team for nearly 2 years until he was selected in the Australian side for the 1st Test of the 2005–06 Frank Worrell Trophy against the West Indies in Brisbane. It was in this match that Bracken recorded both his best Test batting and bowling performances to date. In Australia's first innings he struck 37 off 51 balls and in the West Indians' second innings, Bracken claimed figures of 4/48 off 16 overs including the wickets of Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.^[37] Despite this good all-round performance, leg spinner Stuart MacGill was favoured by the selectors for the remaining Tests in the series. In December 2005, Bracken played the 1st Test against South Africa at the WACA Ground before once again being dropped in favour of Stuart MacGill.

Bracken has not played another Test since then due to the rise of Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson however in February 2008 he claimed that he was still eager to claim a spot in the Test team.^[38] Bracken is considered unlucky by many for his lack of Test starts given his one-day form – leading to comparisons with Michael Bevan. Bracken later announced he would quit from all forms of international cricket on 29 January 2011 due to a knee injury.^{[citation needed]}

Career highlights

Tests

Test Debut: vs India at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, 4 December 2003 (cap 387).

• Bracken's 1st Test wicket was that of Virender Sehwag, caught by Matthew Hayden (1st match).
• Bracken's best bowling figures of 4/48 off 16 overs came against the West Indies at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, 6 November 2005
• Bracken's highest score of 37 came against the West Indies at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, 4 November 2005

One Day Internationals

One Day International Debut: vs West Indies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 11 January 2001 (cap 142).

• Bracken's 1st One Day International wicket was that of Sherwin Campbell, caught by Michael Bevan (1st match).
• Bracken's 50th One Day International wicket was that of Sanath Jayasuriya, caught by Andrew Symonds (31st match).
• Bracken's 100th One Day International wicket was that of Makhaya Ntini, bowled (60th match).
• Bracken's best bowling figures of 5/47 off 8.3 overs came against Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground, 8 February 2008
• Bracken's highest score of 21* off 12 balls came against New Zealand at Jade Stadium, 10 December 2005
• Took figures of 3/22 against the West Indies in the final of the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy
• He was part of Australia's Cricket World Cup winning squads in both 2003 and 2007.

Twenty20 Internationals

Twenty20 International Debut: vs South Africa at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, 9 January 2006 (cap 14).

• Bracken's 1st Twenty20 International wicket was that of Boeta Dippenaar, caught by Brad Haddin (1st match).
• Bracken's best bowling figures of 3/11 off 2.3 overs came against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1 February 2008
• Bracken's highest score of 4 off 3 balls came against Zimbabwe at Newlands Cricket Ground, 12 September 2007

Awards

• Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year – 2001.^[39]
• Bracken has won three One Day International and one Twenty20 International Man of the Match awards.^[40]
• Man of the Series in the 2007-08 Commonwealth Bank Series.^[41]

Achievements and records

• Bracken has taken the most One Day International wickets by an Australian left-arm pace bowler^[42]
• Bracken finished as Australia's leading wicket taker in One Day International cricket for the year 2006 with 46 wickets at an average of 18.82.^[43]
• Bracken reached 100 One Day International wickets in his 60th match. This made him the second fastest Australian to reach the milestone, equal with Shane Warne and Dennis Lillee.^[44]
• Bracken is equal with Shaun Pollock as the leading wicket taker in Twenty20 Internationals and is the leading Australian wicket taker in the format.^[45]
• Pura Cup final winner: 2004–05, 2007–08
• Australian One Day Domestic Cup final winner: 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03
• ICC Champions Trophy final winner: 2006
• ICC Cricket World Cup final winner: 2007

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Bracken bowls them over Blue Mountains Gazette. Retrieved 13 March 2008
2. ^ ^{a b} Nathan Bracken profile Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 February 2008
3. ^ Bracken bounces in to take up attack The Australian. Retrieved 13 February 2008
4. ^ Roebuck, Peter (27 October 2005). "New-wave professionals go by the book, studying between wickets". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/newwave-professionals-go-by-the-book-studying-between-wickets/2005/10/26/1130302841654.html. Retrieved 7 January 2011. 
5. ^ Sheffield Shield 1998/99 New South Wales v Queensland Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
6. ^ Bowling in Sheffield Shield 1998/99 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
7. ^ Pura Milk Cup 1999/00 Queensland v New South Wales Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
8. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2000/01 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
9. ^ ACB announces 2001–2002 contracted players list Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 February 2008
10. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2001/02 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
11. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2002/03 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
12. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2003/04 (Ordered by Average) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
13. ^ Bracken in line for Gloucestershire debut Cricinfo. Retrieved 3 March 2008
14. ^ Lancashire v Gloucestershire Cricket Archive. Retrieved 3 March 2008
15. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2004/05 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
16. ^ New South Wales v South Australia Pura Cup 2004/05 Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
17. ^ ^{a b} Queensland v New South Wales Pura Cup 2004/05 (Final) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
18. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2005/06 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
19. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2007/08 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
20. ^ Australian Capital Territory v New South Wales Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
21. ^ New South Wales v Queensland Mercantile Mutual Cup 1998/99 (Semi-Final) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
22. ^ Victoria v New South Wales Mercantile Mutual Cup 1998/99 (Final) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
23. ^ Western Australia v New South Wales Mercantile Mutual Cup 2000/01 (Final) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
24. ^ Queensland v New South Wales ING Cup 2001/02 (Final) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
25. ^ Victoria v New South Wales ING Cup 2001/02 Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
26. ^ Bowling in ING Cup 2001/02 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
27. ^ Bowling in ING Cup 2002/03 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
28. ^ Western Australia v New South Wales ING Cup 2002/03 (Final) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
29. ^ Bowling in ING Cup 2003/04 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
30. ^ Bowling in ING Cup 2004/05 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
31. ^ Bowling in ING Cup 2005/06 (Ordered by Average) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
32. ^ Bowling in Ford Ranger Cup 2006/07 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
33. ^ Bowling in Ford Ranger Cup 2007/08 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2008
34. ^ Border-Gavaskar Trophy, 2003–04, 1st Test Cricinfo. Retrieved 3 March 2008
35. ^ Border-Gavaskar Trophy – 2nd Test Cricinfo. Retrieved 3 March 2008
36. ^ India in Australia Test series Averages Cricinfo. Retrieved 3 March 2008
37. ^ Australia v West Indies, 1st Test, Brisbane Cricinfo. Retrieved 3 March 2008
38. ^ Bracken Hunts for Test recall Cricinfo. Retrieved 3 March 2008
39. ^ Nathan Bracken – profile Cricinfo. Retrieved 28 February 2008
40. ^ Matches in which Nathan Bracken won an award (10) Cricket Archive. Retrieved 28 February 2008
41. ^ Series Awards Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 March 2008
42. ^ Australia – One-Day Internationals – Most Wickets Cricinfo. Retrieved 28 February 2008
43. ^ 2006 – One-Day Internationals – Most Wickets Cricinfo. 1 March 2008
44. ^ Fastest to 100 wickets Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 March 2008
45. ^ Twenty20 International Records – Most Wickets Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 February 2008

External links

• Cricinfo profile – Nathan Bracken
• Cricket Archive profile – Nathan Bracken
• HowSTAT! statistical profile – Nathan Bracken

Persondata
Name	Bracken, Nathan Wade
Alternative names
Short description	Cricketer
Date of birth	12 September 1977
Place of birth	Penrith, New South Wales
Date of death
Place of death