Colin de Grandhomme to miss rest of Test series

Black Caps all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against England after a scan revealed a tear to his right plantar fascia (heel).

Colin de Grandhomme
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Wellington all-rounder Michael Bracewell, who was with the squad for the first Test as cover for Henry Nicholls, has been added for the remainder of the series as de Grandhomme’s replacement.

Coach Gary Stead said de Grandhomme would require 10 to 12 weeks to recover.

“It’s a real shame for Colin to suffer this injury so early in the series,” Stead said.

“He’s a massive part of our Test side and we’ll certainly miss him.

“It’s great to be able to call on someone like Michael who’s been with the squad for the past month and is match ready.”

New Zealand head to Nottingham for the second test against England with pride wounded and their World Test Championship campaign on a knife-edge after a deflating loss at Lord’s.

Colin de Grandhomme
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Less than a year after beating India at the same venue to claim the inaugural WTC trophy, New Zealand’s five-wicket defeat over the weekend left them seventh in the standings and another setback at Trent Bridge could prove terminal for their title defence.

While the Black Caps have options to cover De Grandhomme’s pace bowling they may miss his lower order batting.

Their problems are higher up the order, though.

The top four produced only 50 runs at Lord’s, with captain Kane Williamson’s long-awaited return from a troublesome elbow injury falling flat with scores of two and 15.

The opening combination of Tom Latham and Will Young has become a problem. Neither batsman has scored more than 15 runs in a knock in their last three tests.

Even with those deficiencies, New Zealand had the match in their hands on day three at 250 for four, only to lose their last six wickets for 34 runs and pave the way for century-maker Joe Root to guide England to an unlikely win.

New Zealand head north to Nottingham with some positives, with middle order batsman Daryl Mitchell (108) and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell (96) having combined for a majestic 195-run stand in the third innings.

Selectors will hope Henry Nicholls has recovered from his calf injury and can add steel to the top order.

Yet it will take more than a few cameo performances to turn the series around for a team that has struggled to consistently play as a unit since their unlikely WTC triumph last June.

The second Test starts Friday night.

-RNZ/Reuters