Doug Bracewell worked his way through 10 overs of bowling today and will join the New Zealand test cricket side tomorrow.



Today's overs, split into four spells, against Canterbury at Christchurch's Hagley Oval proved the 22-year-old's fitness after a foot injury.



He took 1-55 for Central Districts as Canterbury amassed 291-5 from their 50 overs after damp run-ups delayed the start of play by 90 minutes.



Bracewell missed the first and second tests against England after standing on a piece of glass while cleaning up after a party at his Napier home just before the series opener in Dunedin.



The deep cut healed quickly, but bruising kept him out of the second-test draw in Wellington.



He was included in the third-test squad on the condition that he got through today's game.



He showed no ill-affects of the injury during his first spell on the sporting Hagley deck, and his first five overs returned 1-11, including one wild leg-side ball that went for five wides.



He bowled fast and got the new ball to do a bit.



His two-over second spell was not as successful, but he was still nippy, conceding 17 runs before a third spell of another two overs went for a further 15.



Bracewell was asked to bowl the 50th over to the in-flight Shanan Stewart and Andrew Ellis.



That over went for 12 as Stewart (31 not out off 20) and Ellis (28 not out off 13) put on an unbeaten 59 for the sixth wicket off just 28 balls.



Canterbury's innings was highlighted by a record 125-run fourth-wicket partnership between Tom Latham (77) and Henry Nicholls (54).



For CD to make the playoffs they need to chase down their target of 292 inside 40 overs and hope Wellington lose to Northern Districts in Wellington.



That would put both teams level on points, but because CD beat Wellington in their only completed match this season, they would go ahead.