Doug Bracewell caught drunk driving, handed 100 hours of community work

New Zealand fast bowler Doug Bracewell was recently caught drunk driving for the third successive occasion and has been penalised over 100 hours of community work. Bracewell who initially pleaded guilty to drunk driving on March 18 in Haumoana, has been further banned from driving for a year, given that it was his third offence.

26-year-old Bracewell has represented the Black Caps in 27 Tests and 14 T20Is and 14 ODIs. He has taken as many as 72 wickets in Tests. Doug Bracewell, the nephew of Test player and Coach John Bracewell, was also included in Delhi Daredevils squad in 2012, along with the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch, but was given limited opportunities to make way for stars such as Mahela Jayawardena, Kevin Pietersen, Ross Taylor and Morne Morkel.

Doug Bracewell last played a Test match back in August last year at Centurion. Last time he donned the Blacks for New Zealand in an ODI was against India at Dharamsala in the first ODI in October 2016.

Bracewell’s first offence came when he was 18 years of age back in 2008 and subsequently again two years later for which he was sentenced 8-month ban on driving. This time around, Bracewell was already drinking at a gathering before receiving a call from his partner about their pet cockatoo being killed by dogs. Bracewell apparently had to leave immediately to comfort her.

Suffered a serious leg injury

“NZC notes Mr Bracewell suffered a serious leg injury in February and is unlikely to resume his competitive cricket career until next summer. Under these circumstances, and considering the penalty imposed in the Hastings District Court today, NZC will be taking no further punitive action” read a statement according to cricbuzz.

“I made a massive mistake by driving that evening and apologise unreservedly for my actions. I’m deeply embarrassed to have let down so many people – be they family, friends or cricket lovers,” stated Doug Bracewell.