Patience new virtue for Colin
Just as well Colin de Grandhomme has been preparing for the situation he found himself in at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval yesterday.
The all-rounder’s ability to score quickly is well known, but no-one could be blamed for feeling anxious when the No 7 joined BJ Watling in the middle with the Black Caps reeling at 36-5 against England.
A shade over 50 overs later, when de Grandhomme finally departed for 72 from 151 balls, he and Watling had hauled their side back into the match, and the Zimbabweborn player proved he could knuckle down and preserve his wicket.
‘‘It’s what I’ve worked on the last few weeks with some of the coaches, it’s obviously very pleasing to be able to go out and do it for long periods of time,’’ de Grandhomme said after New Zealand ended day two on 192-6 in reply to England’s 307.
‘‘They bowled well in the beginning and it was always going to be tough in the beginning. I managed to get through that. The odd one still did a bit, so it was still tough right the way through.’’
While de Grandhomme’s third test 50 showed more character than previous knocks, it’s not as if he hasn’t been contributing with the bat in the long form of the game.
He started the home summer with his maiden test century (105) against the West Indies, before further scores of 58 and 29 against the men from the Carribean. He also made 29 against England in the first test in Auckland.
‘‘I’ve felt comfortable since after my first one [test]. I just got confident in myself and I’m just enjoying it,’’ de Grandhomme said.
Needing a draw to win their first test series against England since 1999, New Zealand still trail the tourists by 115 runs and will go into day three with Watling (77 not out) and Tim Southee (13 not out).
Stuart Broad, who tweaked his bowling action ahead of the series after admitting he was ‘‘rubbish’’ during the Ashes, was the chief destroyer as England took control of the second test.
He snaffled 4-38 and fancies his side’s chances of knocking over New Zealand and taking a handy first-innings lead.
‘‘New Zealand are 100 and something behind us with a new ball around the corner [5.1 overs], and we’ve seen what damage the new ball can do on this pitch,’’ Broad said.
It’s what I’ve worked on the last few weeks with some of the coaches. Colin de Grandhomme
‘‘Both teams have had a couple of players who have batted at probably the better times but when they have had that chance to bat, they’ve really made use of it.
‘‘[De Grandhomme and Watling] played exceptionally well, but from our point of view, we held them well enough to still be ahead of this game.’’
The 31-year-old went past West Indies great Curtly Ambrose into 14th place on the all-time test wicket list when he dismissed de Grandhomme late on day two, his 406th scalp.
‘‘[Ambrose] was certainly one of my inspirations and heroes. Watching him in full flight was as good as you get really.
‘‘It doesn’t feel quite real when you mention these sorts of names and reaching 400 wickets and stuff.’’