THE WINTERBOURNE WIZARD

James Bracey is more than just a song though. He has become one of the best wicket keepers in the country. A lot of hard work and coaching from Jack Russell have ensured that this gloveman is now a fine exponent of his art. His footwork which gets him into position ensures that he hasn’t got to put that eye catching dive for the cameras into play. Often described as unfussy, it is because he is technically excellent at his craft, due to his footwork getting him to a place where he doesn’t have to rely on athleticism to survive. The thing is he is also athletic, supremely fit and with hands so soft that he could have easily been advertising Fairy Liquid in the Nanette Newman role had he been born in a different era. Sometimes, you don’t even hear the ball thrown in from the boundary into his mitts, a sign of soft hands that give with the throw.

Despite his wicket keeping being unfussy, some of his displays with the bat have been mesmerising, addictively eye catching. His double hundred against Somerset in the Metro Bank Cup the other year was sheer vandalism of the boundary boards and his regular peppering of the flats at the Ashley Down Road End of the ground, kept the glaziers and tilers of Bristol in business for a good few weeks. He averages just shy of 36 in the four day format, a decent return for a wicket keeper.

Bracey, the man is a top bloke. Now 29, he has given Gloucestershire some wonderful service and England’s loss is Gloucestershire’s gain. The two England caps gained back in 2021 didn’t see the best of James Bracey but he was discarded way too soon. Born on 3rd May 1997, he came into this world just as Tony Blair was coming into power. His mum Liz wasn’t the only one going into New Labour on that day. How do I know this? Because my eldest daughter was born on exactly the same day. When they met a few years ago, James responded with “Ah but can your old man name the exact Bristol Rovers side who played that day?” in reference to his dad Nick’s love of the Gas.

An interview that I did with him for the club’s podcast Being Glorious, the discussion turned to his cover drive. Bracey’s shots through the off side are a joy to watch and I described it on commentary as “never mind the Seven Wonders of the World, James Bracey’s cover drive should be up there on any tourist guide”. I also referred to it as being as good as a perfectly poured Guinness, which James baulked at saying, “Nothing is as good as a perfectly poured Guinness”.

Bracey is one of our own. He should be applauded for his loyalty and is a man who is adored where he plies his trade, just a few miles down the M32 from Winterbourne. JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books might have lived in this south Gloucestershire village when she was a child but for those associated with Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, there is only one Winterbourne Wizard.