Statistics and glimpses of his work for Auckland suggested de Grandhomme was a useful all-rounder but not up to international standard in batting or bowling. However, the 30-year-old became the posterman for perseverance and a nugget for the test selectors after his gentle swing bowling sent six Pakistani batsmen back to the hutch for 41 runs - a New Zealand record on debut. Even when New Zealand bowled first, it felt strange de Grandhomme was called up as first change ahead of specialist quick Neil Wagner. In 2012, the selectors called up the Harare-born all-rounder for a solitary one-day international and a few T20 games but that peripheral connection looked his international lot. De Grandhomme has moved ahead of other all-rounders Todd Astle, Jimmy Neesham, Corey Anderson, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig and Colin Munro.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 24, 2016 16:02 UTC