One of his first attempts at the game was a star appearance in a family video as a 2-year-old bowling to his older brother James.
But perhaps his future was written long before that. The strapping 19-year-old is from a talented sporting family which includes two former test cricketers - John Bracewell (uncle), who played 41 tests and also coached the Black Caps, and pace bowler Brendon Bracewell (uncle), who played six tests.
His uncle Kevin and Doug also had their share of sporting success. Kevin played fullback for Hawkes Bay and Doug played rugby for Wairarapa Bush and cricket for Central Districts and Canterbury.
His cousin Doug Bracewell plays for Central District and his father Mark Bracewell also played one first-class game for Otago and one-day match for Central Districts.
The apple certainly does not fall from the tree when it comes to the Bracewell family and Michael appears certain to add to the proud history.
The left-hander has been named in the Otago squad for its opening one-day match against Wellington at Molyneux Park tomorrow and is expected to open the batting alongside Aaron Redmond.
He forced his way into the side with an astonishing undefeated 156 in a trial match earlier this week and cannot wait to get on the park.
"I'm pretty excited about it," Bracewell said.
"I've worked really hard to get here and I think I'm ready to make an impact for Otago. Hopefully, this is the start of a long career."
Bracewell has been on the fringe of the side for the past year or so. He was a substitute fielder for Otago in a first-class match last season and has been making steady progress with the bat.
Originally a wicketkeeper-batsman, last summer he flirted with the idea of giving up the gloves to focus on batting but has gone back to his trade.
With first-choice gloveman Derek de Boorder in good touch, though, the former New Zealand under-19 representative has had to fight his way into the side with the bat.
He gets his opportunity at the expense of the likes of Shaun Haig, Sean Eathorne and New Zealand age group team-mate Hamish Rutherford.
Bracewell is part of a group of talented young players starting to emerge for the province. He played alongside Otago left arm spinner Nick Beard at school (Kavanagh College) and was part of a trio which included Beard and Rutherford which represented New Zealand at the under-19 world cup in Malaysia in 2008.
Despite being tagged as the next big thing, Bracewell said he never feels pressure to live up to the family name.
"I just go out there and play my game," he said, adding his father, who taught at Kavanagh College for 11 years and works as the cricket manager for the Otago Cricket Association, has been a positive influence and has helped keep him grounded.
"He has been a huge influence on me and he is my biggest role model. I've been taught by him and coached by him, and it has been a privilege."
Uncle John has also been an influence but that has not always been so positive.
"It is a running joke in the family that whenever he comes and watches me, I get out straight after. So I've avoided him a bit but I think I'm over that now."
Bracewell's immediate goal is to do well for Otago tomorrow and get established in the one-day side. Eventually, he would like to follow in his uncles' footsteps and play for his country.
"I want to really do well and hold my place for the rest of the year. That's the big aim for me - getting runs in these next couple of games and to keep improving."
Otago had a dreadful run in the HRV Cup, losing six matches and enduring a poor run of weather which saw four games abandoned.
The camp will be looking put that disappointment behind them with a win tomorrow.
Meanwhile, former international paceman Mark Gillespie is set to return for Wellington.
The fast bowler, who missed most of last summer due to a back injury, has been sidelined because of hip and thigh complaints but has been included in a squad of 13.
Black Caps all-rounder James Franklin, who missed out on the New Zealand playing 11 selected for the first test against Pakistan which started at Hamilton yesterday, has also been included in the squad.
OTAGO v WELLINGTON
- Alexandra, tomorrow
• Otago: Aaron Redmond, Michael Bracewell, Neil Broom, Craig Cumming (captain), Nathan McCullum, Sam Wells, Derek de Boorder, Ian Butler, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, James McMillan, Warren McSkimming, Darren Broom.
• Wellington: Grant Elliott (captain), Joe Austin-Smellie, Harry Boam, Dewayne Bowden, Josh Brodie, Marc Calkin, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Andrew Lamb, Neal Parlane, Jeetan Patel, Stewart Rhodes, Luke Woodcock.
