Surrey snap up New Zealand star to replace Roach

SURREY have signed New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme on a short-term deal.

The Brown Caps lost West Indies pace bowler Kemar Roach to a hamstring injury and have moved to fill their overseas vacancy for the next three matches.

De Grandhomme, pictured, should make his debut in this week’s LV= Insurance County Championship trip to Gloucestershire and will also be available for games against Northamptonshire and Kent.

The 35-year-old has played 28 Tests and 86 white-ball internationals for his country, including an excellent display with the ball during the 2019 World Cup final against England.

He has previously had county cricket stints with Hampshire and Warwickshire.

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart said: “Following the injury to Kemar we are pleased to have secured Colin’s services for the next three four-day games. He already has good experience of the county game and will add to the quality and balance of the team.”

» England have confirmed they will appoint separate head coaches to lead the men’s Test and limitedovers squads, with the interview process set to begin in just two weeks.

A return to the split coaching model has long been anticipated, with England’s exhausting schedule and the rapidly diverging fortunes of the red and white-ball teams making the change a virtual necessity.

The appointment of Rob Key, a proponent of the two-coach plan, as managing director essentially rubberstamped the shift and formal job specifications have been published by the England and Wales Cricket Board outlining the new roles. Time is tight with England beginning their summer schedule on June 2, with the first Test of the summer against New Zealand, but they still hope to have a full-time coach in position by then. If not, a continuation of Paul Collingwood’s interim reign would not be unthinkable.