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BLACKCAPS all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme will undergo an operation on his troublesome right-ankle later today.
De Grandhomme’s struggled with the injury since the start of the 2020-21 season, forcing him to rest on the side-lines and limiting him to play only as a specialist batsman for much of his return for Northern Districts in the Dream11 Super Smash and Ford Trophy.
With the injury not getting better NZC Medical Manager Dayle Shackel confirmed surgery was opted for.
“It’s been a challenging time for Colin and we hope this procedure will allow him to return with full function in his ankle,” he said.
“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.”
BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said de Grandhomme remained a hugely important part of the side.
“We’ve all been gutted for Colin having to miss this international summer through injury,” he 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 skill 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.”
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
