The Grand Enigma

One of the most mystifying New Zealand cricket careers came to an abrupt halt during the week.  And fittingly, it happened under bizarre circumstances.

Colin De Grandholme of New Zealand, Auckland, Jamaica Tallawahs, Kolkata Knight Riders. Manicaland, Midlands, Nagenahira Nagas, New Zealand A, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Southern Brave (Men), St Lucia Zouks, Warwickshire and Zimbabwe has decided to go freelance because the current restrictions of being centrally contracted are too tough.

Don’t cry for Colin or NZ Cricket, this is a metaphor for what’s happening in world cricket at the moment and is something that has ravaged West Indian cricket for the last 10 years.

Anyway, that’s a digression.

Colin de Grandhomme was no ordinary cricketer; even his introduction was suitably unusual.

In the 15 years that followed he remained an enigma, with a lot of over achievements mixed in with a lot of frustrations.

Having said that, he was an important part of the New Zealand team that didn’t get beaten in an ODI World Cup final, and was a big part of qualifying for the inaugural WTC final, and then the team that won it.

Some of the best Big col moments.

6/41 on debut

Cricket fans’ favourite pub trivia question.  We couldn’t believe it at the time and that proved to be a justifiable view.

Pre Christmas in Christchurch was perfect for our man.

The World Cup Final 2019

1/25 off 10 overs, and Joe Root had no idea what was going on.  This was a World Cup final bowling performance to rival Wasim Akram in 1992 and Warne in 1999

Sydney test

He opened the bowling in a test match in Australia.  True story.  They dropped Tim Southee so this could happen.

That innings against South Africa

That innings was 6 months ago.

He arrived at the crease with New Zealand 91/5 chasing 364.  He remained undefeated on 120.  Strangely Wagner and Henry threw their wickets away at the end when hanging around for a bit longer would have added a lot more runs.  The Enigma had played sensibly at first, and was in the zone at the end.

The Swansong

In what turned out to be his final appearance for New Zealand we got it all at Lords a few months back.

He got to the crease at 27/5 and somehow guided the tail through to a total of 132 with an unbeaten 42.

In the second innings he came in when the state of play was very different; 250 ahead and time to put the hammer down.  He was run out forst ball with a piece of dreamy cricket that wasn’t too smart.

Never mind; there was the second innings when he had Ben Stokes caught behind, but it was a no ball.

How can someone bowling at 125 kph bowl a no ball?

Next over he went off injured, and that was it.

Then there was the chat around his demeanour.  He wasn’t known for showing emotion, and New Zealanders probably looked for a bit of contrition when things seemed a bit ill judged.

The ending was fitting.  Apparently he put his name forward for the BBL draft not expecting to get picked.

But look at that!

Picked!  (Ooops)

Ahead of non contracted white ball specialist Jimmy Neesham even!

So then it was time for a bit of explaining.  The end of his international career was never going to be straightforward.

So farewell then Colin; and, like you, we still never worked out how to pronounce your surname.