NZ vs PAK: De Grandhomme ruled out of Test Series, Williamson still a doubt

New Zealand all rounder, Colin De Grandhomme has been ruled out of the two match test series against Pakistan. The Kiwis head coach, Gary Stead confirmed that De Grandhomme has a stress reaction in his right foot and is not quite ready to run. He also stated that the all rounder might be back by mid-January if all goes well.

“We still haven’t been able to get him back to running and then obviously bowling as well,” Stead said. “Looking like hopefully a mid-January return.”

There is also no clarity regarding Kane Williamson’s availability for the test series against Pakistan. The plan is to have Williamson join the squad before the second T20I but all that depends on when his first child arrives. The Kiwis skipper was granted a paternal leave awaiting the birth of his child.

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“There’s no update on baby news so we’ll let them carry on as is,” Stead said. “Plan still is at this stage that he will join the team for T20s two and three.”

The injury update on Ajaz Patel looks positive. The spinner missed the two match test series against West Indies owing to a calf injury. Patel will join the New Zealand A squad in Whangarei to test his calf injury.

Lockie Ferguson complained of a back pain after the T20I series against West Indies. The scan reports are awaited and in the worst case scenario, the Kiwi pacer can be ruled out for the rest of the season.

New Zealand outplayed West Indies in both the T20I series and the test series which they won by a score line of 2-0. Kyle Jamieson was awarded the man of the series for the test matches after his all-round display with both bat and ball. Jamieson who made his debut against India earlier this year, has impressed one and all with his consistent performances.