New Zealand’s Colin de Grandhomme Retires From International Cricket To Compete In The Big Bash League

Colin de Grandhomme, an all-rounder for New Zealand, abruptly retired from international cricket on Wednesday after being selected to participate in Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL) around the new year.

A dispute with his primary contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), which stretched through next July, was created when the 36-year-old was chosen as a “gold” pick for the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL draught on Sunday.

De Grandhomme opted to retire from international cricket and was released from his contract, NZC announced in a statement on Wednesday.

De Grandhomme, who was born in Zimbabwe and has played 29 tests, 45 one-dayers, and 41 T20s for his adopted country over the last decade, said the grind of international cricket had become increasingly difficult in recent weeks.

“I also have a growing family and am trying to figure out what my future looks like after cricket,” he stated in a statement released by the NZC.

“I have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to play for the Black Caps since my debut in 2012, and I am pleased with my international career,” he says.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead reacted to Colin de Grandhomme’s retirement:

In response to the announcement, New Zealand coach Gary Stead described de Grandhomme as a vital component of the team.

“Colin’s been a tremendously influential part of the BLACKCAPS and contributed to some of the team’s finest triumphs,” he stated.

“His enormous power with the bat and ability with the ball made him a true match winner and an asset to any team.” Stead continued.

“While it is painful to see him go, we understand he is at a point in his career where he wants to take a different path, and we accept that” the coach concluded.

De Grandhomme, a member of the New Zealand side that won the first World Test Championship last year, scored 1,432 runs at an average of 38.70 and got 49 wickets in test matches.

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