Colin de Grandhomme, the New Zealand all-rounder, has been ruled out of the rest of England’s tour after MRI tests indicated a damage in his right plantar fascia (heel). As a substitute, Michael Bracewell, who was previously brought in as a backup for Henry Nicholls, has been added to the squad.
In the first Test, de Grandhomme balanced the team at No. 7, scoring 42 not out in the first innings before dismissing Joe Root in the second. On the third day, he was run out first ball, bowled Ben Stokes with a front-foot no-ball, and then limped off hurt.
When De Grandhomme hurt his heel bowling in the second session of the Lord’s Test on Day 3 he was subsequently ruled out of the Test match, which New Zealand went on to lose by five wickets on the fourth morning. According to head coach Gary Stead, De Grandhomme will require 10-12 weeks to recuperate.
With his performances in both departments, he provided balance to New Zealand’s playing XI. Furthermore, the conditions in England are ideal for bowlers like de Grandhomme, which is why his absence will be devastating to the Blackcaps.
New Zealand’s five-wicket loss at Trent Bridge over the weekend dropped them to seventh in the rankings, less than a year after beating India at the same site to win the inaugural WTC trophy. Another failure at Trent Bridge might be the end of their championship defence.