Colin de Grandhomme
Colin de Grandhomme: A Brief Biography of a New Zealand Cricketer
Colin de Grandhomme’s cricket journey spans two nations and one of the most successful periods in New Zealand’s cricket history. Born in Zimbabwe and later representing New Zealand on the international stage, he built a reputation as a powerful lower-order hitter and a dependable seam-bowling all-rounder. His career highlights include lifting the ICC World Test Championship (2019-2021) and playing in the dramatic 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup final.
Colin de Grandhomme: Career Journey of a Zimbabwean-New Zealand All-Rounder
Colin de Grandhomme was born on July 22, 1986, in Harare, Zimbabwe. Cricket was part of his upbringing. His father, Lawrence de Grandhomme, and his great-uncle, Bunny de Grandhomme, were both accomplished cricketers, and their influence helped shape his early ambitions.
He studied at St. George’s College in Harare, an institution well known for producing sporting talent. As a teenager, he quickly emerged as a promising all-rounder and represented Manicaland at youth level. His performances earned him selection for Zimbabwe’s squad at the 2004 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Although Zimbabwe did not advance far in the tournament, de Grandhomme showed glimpses of his potential.
Relocation and a Fresh Start
The mid-2000s were a turbulent time for Zimbabwean cricket, with administrative and political instability affecting the national setup. Seeking stability and professional growth, de Grandhomme moved to New Zealand in 2006 soon after finishing school.
He began in club cricket before breaking into Auckland’s domestic side. Over time, he became a valuable asset in New Zealand’s domestic competitions. Whether in first-class matches, one-day tournaments, or T20 contests, he contributed consistently with both bat and ball. His strong domestic performances eventually brought him into national selection discussions.
Breaking Into the Black Caps
After meeting eligibility requirements, de Grandhomme debuted for New Zealand in T20 Internationals on February 11, 2012, fittingly against Zimbabwe. He soon added an ODI debut against South Africa.
However, his early international appearances were followed by several years on the fringes of the squad. Colin de Grandhomme struggled to cement a regular place between 2012 and 2016. His persistence paid off when he returned to the side and made his Test debut in 2016. From there, he became a reliable member of the New Zealand lineup across formats, valued for his aggressive stroke play and disciplined medium pace.
Part of a Historic Era
De Grandhomme’s peak years coincided with one of the most successful chapters in New Zealand cricket.
He was included in the squad that claimed the ICC World Test Championship title in 2021, contributing during the campaign that culminated in victory over India in the final.
Two years earlier, he was also part of the New Zealand team that reached the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup final. The match against England ended in a tie and was decided after a Super Over – with England awarded the trophy o
Injury Setbacks and International Retirement
Toward the latter stages of his career, injuries began to limit his appearances. An ankle operation forced him to miss the 2020/21 season, and recovery proved challenging. On August 31, 2022, he officially announced his retirement from international cricket.
In the years following his retirement, he has not been contracted by major franchise leagues but has appeared in various veterans and exhibition competitions. These include Legends League Cricket, the Super 60 USA Legends Tournament 2025, and the World Legends Pro T20 League 2026, where he represented the Gurugram Thunders.
Colin de Grandhomme: Life Beyond the Boundary
Off the field, de Grandhomme leads a relatively private life. He is married to Samantha Wells Borrell, who works as a nurse, and together they have a daughter named Lily. During his rehabilitation period in 2021, he reflected on how the time away from cricket allowed him to focus more on family life.
Outside of sport, he enjoys golf, fishing and traveling. Known to teammates by nicknames such as “The Big Man” and “Dutchy,” he often wore jersey number 77 during his international career. Despite his achievements, he has consistently avoided the spotlight and does not maintain active public social media accounts.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Bat Avg | Top Score | Balls bowled | Wickets | Bowl Avg | Best Bowl | Catches |
| Test | 29 | 1 432 | 38.70 | 120 | 4 054 | 49 | 32.96 | 6/41 | 19 |
| ODI | 45 | 742 | 26.50 | 74 | 1 548 | 30 | 41.00 | 3/26 | 17 |
| T20I | 41 | 505 | 15.78 | 59 | 321 | 12 | 38.42 | 2/22 | 20 |
| T20s | 253 | 4 110 | 22.96 | 86 | 3 872 | 77 | 38.96 | 3/30 | 108 |
| List A | 156 | 3 116 | 25.96 | 151 | 4 231 | 84 | 42.88 | 4/37 | 49 |
| FC | 136 | 7 035 | 37.22 | 174 | 14 249 | 221 | 30.03 | 8/39 | 67 |
