Options for selectors to mull over

Luxuriant mullet flowing, and a smile on his face, Colin de Grandhomme insists he’ll be ready to go in England as an intriguing fourway race heats up for the Black Caps test allrounder’s berth.

De Grandhomme had his first Covid-19 jab and took to the Bay Oval practice nets with team-mate Neil Wagner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen yesterday, less than a month out from departure to the UK.

The 34-year-old was included in the 20-man squad for two England tests, which will be trimmed to 15 for the World Test Championship final against India on June 18, despite an injury-ravaged season.

He underwent ankle surgery in March, having played 12 domestic matches and bowled just 32 overs since the season began last October. He didn’t feature at all for New Zealand, as Daryl Mitchell stepped up as the batting allrounder in the No 7 spot, scoring his maiden test century against Pakistan in Christchurch in January.

‘‘It looks like I’m tracking well and I should be ready to go from ball one [in England] if I’m needed,’’ de Grandhomme said.

Assuming Devon Conway makes his test debut opening alongside Tom Latham, that leaves No 7 and fifth bowler as the most contestable spot in the top XI.

Given de Grandhomme’s lack of match fitness, on form Mitchell has the inside running if the Black Caps opt for an all-pace attack.

Averaging 37 with the bat and 31.6 with the ball in 24 tests, de Grandhomme has the numbers of a genuine allrounder and would be a potential threat with the Dukes ball. Whether he’s ready for the rigours of test cricket will be the big question.