Michael is a great team player and has spent a fantastic 15 months for New Zealand since his international debut. We have seen his exceptional skills in all three aspects of the game and he was an important player for us at the World Cup in India.

The strength he possesses … gives us a bit of a fear factor, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said Wednesday.

Michael is naturally very disappointed, but he’s also pragmatic and recognizes that injuries are part of the sport, and he’s focused on his rehabilitation now, Stead added.

Bracewell’s injury came about two months after team skipper and major player Kane Williamson injured his right knee during the IPL in April.

The New Zealand whitewash captain, who underwent surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his right knee, is also unlikely to play in the World Cup.

(Williamson) is struggling to do his best to be there, but still the (possibility) of him not being there … and if you add Brex to that, that’s two big losses, Stead said.

Williamson led New Zealand to the final of the last ODI World Cup, where they lost to tournament hosts England by a marginal score.

Bracewell, the Black Caps’ reigning ODI Player of the Year, made his debut last year and played 19 ODIs, 16 T20Is and eight Tests.

The 32-year-old was an important member of the New Zealand team during last year’s tour of India, scoring a memorable 140 balls in his first ODI. This season, he also participated in the IPL, taking six wickets in five matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore team.