Doug Bracewell is set to play his first match for the Black Caps in more than a year, when New Zealand play the West Indies in the opening game of their one day series in Whangarei on Wednesday.
Bracewell last played for New Zealand in India in October last year with injury and a series of off field incidents involving alcohol having stifled his career.
He was called into the Black Caps squad for the upcoming series as a late replacement for Colin de Granhomme and Williamson says he's pleased Bracewell, who he's known since pre-school, has the chance to re-establish his career.
Bracewell, 27, suffered a serious knee injury this time last year and in May was convicted of his third drink-driving offence.
Doug Bracewell. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
He was called into the Black Caps squad for the upcoming series as a late replacement for Colin de Granhomme and Williamson said he's pleased Bracewell, who he's known since pre-school, now has the chance to re-establish his international career.
"He's going really well Dougie. It's nice to see him back....we went to kindergarten together."
Williamson said Bracewell has worked on his batting having initially come into the side as a bowling allrounder.
"His batting has been coming along really well for quite some time. We've seen it (develop) in domestic cricket. He certainly came onto the scene as more of an opening bowler, or first change seamer, but for quite some time now we have certainly seen his talent with the bat and it's now a real opportunity for him to develop into a true allrounder."
Williamson said Bracewell will be batting "six to eight" and that requires a shift in mindset moving up from the lower order.
-RNZ
