Ahead of the second Test between England and New Zealand, the Kiwi all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has been ruled out. He has sustained a tear in the right plantar fascia (heel) which will take 10 to 12 weeks to heal. The all-rounder got injured during the third day of the first Test at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. After which, he was unable to take any further part in the game, and his side lost by five wickets.
The World Test Championship 2021 winners have brought in Michael Bracewell, who was in the team as a cover for Henry Nicholls. Nicholls tested positive for COVID19 after he arrived in the country. Head coach Gary Stead has confirmed Bracewell’s inclusion while saying that De Grandhomme is a massive part of the Test team.
Stead added that it is a great opportunity to see Bracewell, who has been travelling with the team in the last month and is ready.
“It’s a real shame for Colin to suffer this injury so early in the series. He’s a massive part of our Test side and we’ll certainly miss him. It’s great to be able to call on someone like Michael who’s been with the squad for the past month and is match ready,” Stead said according to Cricbuzz.
The Blackcaps are badly impacted by the injury to the Zimbabwe-born player. Bracewell isn’t a like-to-like replacement as he is an off-spinner. Another all-rounder, Daryl Mitchell, is predominantly a batter who can bowl a bit. He didn’t bowl in the last game. The Kane Williamson-led side might have to play either Matt Henry or Neil Wagner to strengthen their bowling.
This means that their batting might become a bit thinner as the sixth batter would be Tom Blundell, who is a wicketkeeper. It might be possible that the team might go with a pace dominant attack as the next game will be played in Nottingham. The wicket at the venue has been helpful for the pacers.
