The Melbourne Renegades have added another experienced international to their BBL|16 squad, signing New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell.
Michael Bracewell adds international experience
A powerful left-handed batter and right-arm off-spinner, Bracewell brings both international and franchise T20 experience to the Renegades, the second overseas player to sign with the club after England’s Jonny Bairstow.
The 35-year-old has represented New Zealand across all three formats since making his international debut in 2022 and has also captained the Black Caps in both ODI and T20I cricket.
Across more than 200 career T20 matches, Bracewell has scored more than 3,600 runs at a strike rate above 135 and taken over 100 wickets.
His T20 career has taken him around the world, with experience across competitions including the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Major League Cricket, The Hundred and New Zealand’s Super Smash.
Bracewell showed his destructive batting ability with an unbeaten 141 from just 65 deliveries for Wellington in the Super Smash in 2022, an innings which remains the highest individual score in New Zealand domestic T20 cricket.
More recently, he continued to make an impact on the franchise circuit, striking at more than 170 during the 2026 Pakistan Super League.
“I’m looking forward to joining the Renegades, the BBL is a competition I’ve watched plenty of over the years and one I’ve always wanted to experience. Playing in Melbourne, in front of big crowds at the MCG, is going to be special,” Bracewell said.
“I enjoy being able to contribute in different ways - whether that’s with the bat, with the ball or in the field - and I’m looking forward to doing whatever the team needs to help us win games.”
Melbourne Renegades Head Coach Luke Ronchi said Bracewell’s versatility and international experience made him an important addition to the squad.
“Michael gives us a lot of options and that’s incredibly valuable in T20 cricket,” Ronchi said.
“He’s a genuine all-rounder. He can play a number of different roles with the bat, he’s a very smart off-spinner and he brings a huge amount of experience from playing international and franchise cricket around the world.
“He’s also been trusted to captain New Zealand, which tells you plenty about the way he sees the game and the type of character he is around a group.
Tickets for Renegades matches are on sale now, with new Red October specials every week for fans who purchase this month.
Melbourne Renegades BBL|16 Squad
Head Coach: Luke Ronchi
Contracted for BBL|16Michael Archer (contracted until BBL|16), Jonny Bairstow (BBL|16), Jason Behrendorff (BBL|17), Michael Bracewell (BBL|16), Josh Brown (BBL|17), Harry Dixon (BBL|16), Brendan Doggett (BBL|16), Sam Elliott (BBL|16), Jake Fraser-McGurk (BBL|17), Caleb Jewell (BBL|16), Ollie Peake (BBL|17), Tom Rogers (BBL|16), Callum Stow (BBL|16), Will Sutherland (BBL|17)
UncontractedHassan Khan (Pakistan), Muhammad Rizwan (Pakistan), Nathan Lyon, Will Salzmann, Gurinder Sandhu, Matthew Spoors
InMichael Archer, Jonny Bairstow (England), Michael Bracewell (New Zealand)
OutFergus O'Neill (Sydney Sixers), Tim Seifert (Sydney Sixers), Andrew Tye (retired), Adam Zampa (Hobart Hurricanes)