Colin de Grandhomme retires from international cricket; NZ all-rounder to focus on T20, domestic cricket

De
Grandhomme,
36
made
the
decision
to
bring
down
the
curtain
on
an
impressive
international
career
after
discussions
this
week
with
New
Zealand
Cricket
–
which
has
agreed
to
release
him
from
his
central
contract.

The
Zimbabwean-born
Kiwi
said
a
range
of
factors
had
played
a
part
in
his
decision,
not
least
his
struggles
with
injury
and
the
increasing
competition
for
places
in
all
three
formats.

“I
accept
that
I
am
not
getting
any
younger
and
that
the
training
is
getting
harder,
particularly
with
the
injuries.

“I
also
have
a
growing
family
and
am
trying
to
understand
what
my
future
looks
like
post-cricket.
All
of
this
has
been
on
my
mind
over
the
past
few
weeks,”
said
the
all-rounder
in
a
statement.

“I
have
been
fortunate
enough
to
have
had
the
opportunity
to
play
for
the
BLACKCAPS
since
debuting
in
2012
and
I
am
proud
of
my
international
career
–
but
I
feel
this
is
the
right
time
to
finish,”
he
said.

De
Grandhomme
departs
the
international
stage
with
an
impressive
record,
particularly
in
the
Test
arena;
his
29
matches
realising
1432
runs
at
38.70,
including
centuries
against
the
West
Indies
and
South
Africa,
and
49
wickets
at
32.95
–
including
six
for
41
on
debut
against
Pakistan.

A
measure
of
his
influence
in
the
Test
environment
is
that
he
featured
in
18
wins,
playing
a
key
role
in
the
BLACKCAPS
inaugural
ICC
World
Test
Championship
campaign,
which
ended
with
a
victory
over
India
in
the
final
at
Southampton.

De
Grandhomme
also
proved
valuable
in
the
BLACKCAPS
ODI
side,
in
45
outings
scoring
742
runs
at
a
strike
rate
of
106.15
and
taking
30
wickets
at
41.00
with
the
ball,
as
the
side
reached
a
No
1
world
ranking,
and
qualified
for
the
final
of
the
2019
ICC
Cricket
World
Cup.

In
that
tournament,
he
starred
with
a
47-ball
60
in
a
pulsating
victorious
chase
against
South
Africa,
scored
64
against
Pakistan,
and
bowled
superbly
in
the
final
against
England,
taking
one
for
25
off
his
10
overs.

The
powerful
all-rounder
also
played
in
41
T20Is,
scoring
505
runs
at
a
strike-rate
of
138.35
and
taking
12
wickets
at
38.41
(economy
rate
of
8.61).

De
Grandhomme
said
he
had
cherished
his
time
playing
for
the
BLACKCAPS
and
sharing
in
such
a
successful
time
for
New
Zealand
cricket.

“I
have
loved
being
part
of
this
team
over
the
past
decade
and
am
grateful
for
the
experiences
we
have
shared
together.
I
have
made
many
lasting
friendships
with
teammates,
coaching
staff
and
opponents,
and
will
treasure
the
memories
for
the
rest
of
my
life,”
he
added.

De
Grandhomme
said
he
still
retained
a
desire
to
play
domestic
cricket
in
New
Zealand
when
available,
and
would
be
discussing
that
matter
with
Northern
Districts
cricket.
BLACKCAPS
coach
Gary
Stead
said
it
was
sad
to
see
de
Grandhomme
depart
the
international
scene,
but
he
understood
his
reasons.

“Colin’s
been
a
hugely
influential
part
of
the
BLACKCAPS
and
contributed
to
some
of
the
team’s
greatest
achievements.
His
immense
power
with
the
bat
and
skills
with
the
ball
made
him
a
real
match
winner
and
an
asset
to
any
side,”
he
said.

“Colin’s
a
great
team-man
and
we
will
certainly
miss
his
character
around
the
dressing
room.
While
it
is
sad
to
see
him
go
–
we
appreciate
he
is
at
a
stage
in
his
career
where
he
is
looking
to
head
in
a
different
direction
and
we
respect
that.

We
wish
him
all
the
best
with
his
future
and
hope
to
see
him
featuring
on
the
New
Zealand
domestic
scene
when
available,”
said
Stead.