Colin de Grandhomme is set to be out of action for at least six to eight weeks and will undergo ankle surgery to recover from his chronic trouble. De Grandhomme has been struggling with an injury to the right ankle since the start of the 2020-21 season and has been forced to play as a specialist batsman for Northern Districts.
De Grandhomme wasn’t considered for the ODI series against Bangladesh as well. “It’s been a challenging time for Colin and we hope this procedure will allow him to return with full function in his ankle,” New Zealand Cricket’s medical manager Dayle Shackel said after confirming the injury wasn’t improving as expected. “It’s anticipated he will need six weeks of rest before he can return to running and another two weeks before he can resume bowling.”
The injury also leaves de Grandhomme in a race against time to be fit for New Zealand’s tour aof England and the World Test Championship final in June this year. “We’ve all been gutted for Colin having to miss this international summer through injury,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said. “His contributions to the Blackcaps in the past few years have been outstanding across all three formats and he’s been a huge part of our team.
“His skills with the ball, power with the bat and catching in the field make him one of the premier all-rounders in the world and so we’re naturally eager to see him get the injury right and become available for us again.
“It’s too early to say what this might mean for our Test tour to England in late May and June, but we’re hopeful following surgery and rehabilitation he will be a chance to make the squad.”
New Zealand will start their preparation for the world Test Championship final with a two-Test series against England starting from June 2. The final will be played in Southampton from June 18.
