Wellington, May 25 (Cricbuzz) : Caught drinking and driving over three times, Doug Bracewell, the New Zealand paceman, has been sentenced to 100 hours of community service. The 26-year-old bowler, who was caught on March 18 in Haumoana, appeared in court on Thursday (May 25) after having pleaded guilty to the charge last month, but given that it was Bracewell's third drunk-driving offence, he not just copped the sentence but was banned from driving for a year.

Bracewell had apparently been drinking at a gathering before receiving a call from his partner who broke the news to him of their pet cockatoo being killed by dogs which prompted the bowler to drive home in under the influence to comfort her.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) were expected to hand the bowler a penalty of their own, but keeping in mind the punishment handed to the paceman, they have decided against it. Bracewell has represented New Zealand in 27 Tests, 14 One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals respectively, but has not played in any format since their tour of India in 2016.

"NZC notes Mr Bracewell suffered a serious leg injury in February and is unlikely to resume his competitive cricket career until next summer," a statement read. "Under these circumstances, and considering the penalty imposed in the Hastings District Court today, NZC will be taking no further punitive action."

Bracewell's first offence came in 2008, when he was 18, and the next came two years later, and he was subsequently sentenced to six months' supervision and was handed an eight-month driving ban.

"I made a massive mistake by driving that evening and apologise unreservedly for my actions," Bracewell said in late April soon after pleading guilty to his third offence."I'm deeply embarrassed to have let down so many people - be they family, friends or cricket lovers," he added.