Self-belief the key to Kiwi pacer Doug Bracewell"s success

Hobart (Australia), Dec. 13: Self-belief is the key to Kiwi fast bowler Doug Bracewell"s success.

The 21-year-old arrived at Bellerive Oval knowing he could win it for his country.

He proved it with his match-winning 6-40 against Australia in the second innings, and remarkable match figures of 9-60 in only his third test.

Asked if he sensed such a performance, a grinning Bracewell told the Dominion Post: "Yeah, I did. The pitch was doing its thing, a bit up and down. We just talked about bowling our areas and building pressure through dot balls. We knew we were always in with the sniff and we just hung in there."

Brendon Bracewell, also a former New Zealand fast bowler, was cheering his son on from his Napier lounge, riding every delivery at the Australian batsmen.

"He would have been glued to the TV. I''m sure he''ll be on the blower. He wouldn''t have left his couch for four days. I talk to him quite a bit, every three or four nights I ring him and he''s got good advice. He just tells me to have belief and back myself and just do what I do. He''s always there to encourage me and always got positive vibes," said Doug

Bracewell turned the match with the wickets of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey with the total on 159. The latter was the big one, and gave Bracewell the belief.

"I think the one of Hussey first-up was the key. To go bang-bang like that just before the break was a good positive for us. Then with [Brad] Haddin out there under a bit of pressure we always knew we were in with a sniff."

Bracewell said the gravity of the win was still sinking in. "It''s an unreal feeling."

Skipper Ross Taylor said: "I thought Dougy would bowl well, I didn''t think he would bowl that well. I''m just stoked for Dougy, he didn''t bowl as he would have liked in Brisbane. It didn''t help that his captain dropped a catch as well."