Grand debut for de Grandhomme as Kiwis take charge
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 on Friday.
After the 30-year-old de Grandhomme engineered Pakistan’s col- lapse 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 all-rounder 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. — AFP