10 Lesser known facts about Nathan Bracken

10 Lesser known facts about Nathan Bracken: Nathan Bracken rose to fame with his scintillating performances in first-class cricket. The Australian left-arm medium fast bowler said goodbye to the international cricket after a short stay at following a career ending knee injury.

Born on 12th September 1977, once a prominent face in the Aussie team, Bracken turns 38 today. Although, injuries and tough luck kept him away from the game very frequently, he did manage to make a mark with some outstanding performances.

Here are the 10 Lesser known facts about Nathan Bracken:

1. School days:

Nathan’s cricket love affair with the game started years before he made his debut, while in school Nathan was famous for the way he swung the ball and took serious interest in the game right from school.

2. First class cricket:

Nathan Bracken’s best season in the first class cricket was in the year 2000-01, he finished the season as the 2^nd highest wicket-taker for New South Wales with 29 wickets. As a result his performance grabbed him a place in the Australian team for the Ashes 2001.

3. Awards:

Bracken had a great year in 2001, and as a result he was awarded the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year.

4. Baggy-green:

The Australian left-arm fast bowler made his Test debut in 2003 against India, and as a result appeared less frequently for New South Wales. Following his Test selection Bracken was also signed by the county team Gloucestershire to play in the English first-class competition.

5. Best season in first-class cricket:

Bracken’s best season for New South Wales was in the year 2004-05 when he picked 43 wickets of 11 matches. The season includes his phenomenal spell of 7/4 off 7 overs that helped NSW dismiss South Australia on 29 runs at Sydney Cricket Ground. His spell is amongst one of the best in the Australian domestic cricket history.

6. Comeback:

After his Test debut in December 2003, Bracken was kept away from the Australian Test team for 2 years due to the amazing fast bowling unit the team had. He was finally selected for the 1^st Test of the 2005-06 series against West Indies.

7. All-rounder’s show:

Bracken’s best Test performance was recorded in the first match against West Indies both with the bat and the ball, he scored 31 off 51 balls in the first innings and grabbed 4/48 off 16 over in West Indies’ second.

8. Overlooked:

However, his performance did not help him retain his spot in the team for the rest of the series and he was overlooked as Stuart MacGill was induced into the team by the selectors.

9. Last Test match:

The last time Nathan Bracken was a part of the Australian Test team was back in 2005 against South Africa in the 1^st Test before being dropped once again to make place for MacGill.

10. Retirement:

A significant part of the World Cup 2007 Australian team, Bracken announced retirement from the international cricket on 29^th January 2012, due to his chronic knee-injury that has left him with permanent disabilities.