Cricket: Surrey clinch short-term deal for Kiwi all-rounder

Surrey County Cricket Club have signed New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme as an overseas player for the next three matches in the County Championship.

The 35-year-old will be available for this week’s match against Gloucestershire in Bristol, next week’s game against Northamptonshire at The Kia Oval (May 5-8) and the derby against Kent in Beckenham (May 12-15).

An experienced international cricketer, de Grandhomme has played 28 Tests with a batting average of 38.6 and bowling average of 33.08. He has also played 86 white ball internationals, including the 2019 World Cup Final against England at Lord’s.

The all-rounder has previously played county cricket for Hampshire and Warwickshire, scoring 174 for Hampshire against Surrey at The Ageas Bowl in July last year and 39* for Warwickshire in the 2017 T20 Blast quarter-final at The Kia Oval.

De Grandomme said: “I am looking forward to getting over to the UK, joining the Surrey lads and getting stuck in for a few County Championship games.”

Surrey CCC director of cricket Alec Stewart added: “Following the injury to Kemar [Roach] we are pleased to have secured Colin’s services for the next three four-day games. He already has good experience of the county game and will add to the quality and balance of the team.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD