Grand record debut for de Grandhomme
New Zealand’s CHRISTCHURCH: Late bloomer Colin de Grandhomme celebrated his first international call-up with record New Zealand debut bowling figures of 6-41 as Pakistan crumbled in their first innings of the opening Test yesterday.
After the 30-year-old de Grandhomme engineered Pakistan’s collapse to be all out for 133 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand’s other debutant Jeet Raval put them in a strong position to be 104-3 in reply at stumps.
New Zealand made a rocky start to their reply when the experienced Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor — with 158 Tests between them — could muster only 16 runs in total.
But the novice Raval (55 not out) and Henry Nicholls (not out 29 in his eighth Test) added 64 for the fourth wicket to put New Zealand in charge.
On what was effectively the first day of a now four-day Test, after rain washed out the scheduled Thursday start, the honours lay with de Grandhomme.
The Harare-born, former Zimbabwe Under-19 representative is more renowned as a big-hitting batsman.
Although he was picked for the allrounder
bowls during day two of the First Test against Pakistan yesterday. role ahead of the more experienced Jimmy Neesham in the swing-friendly conditions, he surprised even himself with his performance.
“I was expecting to score more runs than take wickets,” the unassuming all-rounder said.
“I just tried to put it in the areas I wanted to bowl and they managed to do their bit so it’s all good.”
De Grandhomme picked his first wicket, that of Azhar Ali, as the best of the six, and the Pakistani said conditions were ideal for the New Zealand medium pacer.
“He was hitting in the right areas. There’s enough there in the pitch, a lot of grass on it, and there was a lot of moisture as well,” Ali said.
“On that kind of pitch you know that even a bowler who’s not as fast can get a lot out of it... We knew that but it was his day. Credit should be given to him. It was his first game and he bowled brilliantly.”
Only seven other New Zealand bowlers have taken five or more wickets on debut, with the previous best figures belonging to Tim Southee at five for 55.
The previous best six-wicket haul was Alex Moir’s six for 155 against England 65 years ago.