The batting all-rounder Michael Bracewell will be replacing the injured Glenn Phillips in the first test of the New Zealand tour of Zimbabwe 2025.

Bracewell was not part of the initial squad due to his commitments with The Hundred Men’s competition 2025 overlapping with the two-test series in Bulawayo.

Speaking on Glenn Phillips’ injury and Michael Bracewell’s inclusion, blackcaps head coach Rob Walter said, “Glenn’s injury provided a gap in the Test squad and Michael is the closest like-for-like replacement.”

“Michael’s experience and skillset will be a great asset and allows us to keep the same balance of the team.

“Given he’s here with the T20 squad and his availability aligned for the first Test, we’re using the opportunity to include him in the squad.

“We’ll get through the first Test and then we’ll make a decision whether we’ll replace him for the second Test.”

Michael Bracewell last featured in a Test match during Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand in 2023. Having made his debut in the longest format back in 2022, Bracewell has 24 wickets and 259 runs to his name from eight matches.

Currently, he is featuring in a T20I Tri-series 2025 that also includes South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand will lock horns in a two-Test series in Bulawayo starting July 30.

Michael Bracewell will depart Zimbabwe after the conclusion of the first Test and join the Southern Brave ahead of their first game.