Bracewell to join Lillee in W. A. front line?

Press, 24 September 1980, Page 40

Bracewell to join Lillee in W. A. front line?

NZPA' Perth The young New Zealand fast bowler, Brendon Bracewell, at present toning up his I.Blm, 79.3 kg frame by labouring on Perth building sites, may share the new ball with Dennis Lillee when Western Australia opens its Sheffield Shield programme at Perth next month.

The 21-year-old former test player will probably partner Lillee against Victoria at the W.A.C.A. ground on October 16, if moves by West Australian cricket chiefs are successful, Western Australia has asked the Australian Cricket Board to give a ruling on whether Bracewell is eligible to play for the state. Board rules, framed last year limit mainland states’ to only one overseas player. The West Australian side already includes the accomplished South African batsman, Ken McEwan.

However, McEwan has applied for residence in Australia and, if the application is approved, will probably not be regarded as an overseas player. The state selectors, Allan Edwards, Hugh Bevan, and Gordon Becker initiated the moves after seeing Bracewell at state squad practice. The state coach, Daryl Foster, describes Bracewell as “fast, fit, and aggressive. Like all good fast bowlers, he hates batsmen.” Bracewell snatched the headlines at the Oval in the English summer of 1978 when, as an 18-year-old in his first test, he took two wickets, those of Graham Gooch and Mike Brearley, in his first 10 deliveries. Since then he has been dogged by back trouble, and has not played in a firstclass game since he broke down again while representing Central Districts in a game against Auckland late last year. He came to Perth four months ago to seek help from Lillee, whose own career has several times been threatened by back problems. The pair have become close friends, and Bracewell appears to have overcome his injury, Bracewell said yesterday: “Dennis has helped me a lot, with my back and also with bowling advice.-