Stats: Colin de Grandhomme breaks New Zealand record for best figures on Test debut
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme broke a New Zealand record that stood for 65 years, courtesy of his impressive spell on day two of the first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan at Christchurch. After day one was lost to rain, day two began with the hosts winning the toss and electing to field and the 30-year-old who was making his Test debut made the most of that.
Colin de Grandhomme’s figures of 6/41 on debut may not make it into the top 25 best bowling figures in debut innings, but not only is it better Ravichandran Ashwin’s 6/47 but also broke the New Zealand record for best figures on Test debut.
The record was previously held by leg spinner Alex Moir (Alexander McKenzie Moir), whose figures of 6/155 against England in 1951 also came at Christchurch. By virtue of his impressive figures, de Grandhomme became only the third New Zealand player to pick up a six-wicket haul on his debut Test innings.
Few would have seen this coming, especially considering the fact that he only has one five-wicket haul to his name in 83 first-class matches prior to this game and had only taken five wickets in his last three first-class matches.
His addition to the New Zealand side for the first Test against Pakistan had more to do with his power-hitting than his ability to take wickets in heaps, especially considering that his bowling numbers in the longest format of the game pale in comparison to his batting numbers.
The 30-year-old all-rounder’s figures of 6/41 on debut helped New Zealand bowl out Pakistan for just 133 before Tea on day two after the entire first day was lost to rain and the Test had essentially been converted into a first-class game.
Although his selection in the side was a bone of contention before the start of the Test, with many seeing him as a better batsman and the wrong call for the third seamer, de Grandhomme struck in his third over by removing Azhar Ali’s off stump and then never looked back.
Over the course of his 16 overs, the all-rounder accounted for Azhar Ali, in-form Babar Azam, Pakistan’s all-time leading Test run-getter Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq and Sohail Khan before he picked up the last wicket to fall, Rahat Ali.
Best figures on Test debut by a New Zealand bowler
| No. | Player | Opposition | Bowling figures | Year |
| 1. | Colin de Grandhomme | Pakistan | 6/41 | 2016 |
| 2. | Alex Moir | England | 6/155 | 1951 |
| 3. | Fen Cresswell | England | 6/163 | 1949 |
| 4. | Tim Southee | England | 5/55 | 2008 |
| 5. | Paul Wiseman | Sri Lanka | 5/82 | 1998 |
| 6. | Doug Bracewell | Zimbabwe | 5/85 | 2011 |
| 7. | Bruce Taylor | India | 5/86 | 1965 |
| 8. | Mark Gillespie | South Africa | 5/136 | 2007 |
| 9. | Bruce Martin | England | 4/43 | 2013 |
| 10. | Danny Morrison | Australia | 4/86 | 1987 |