Said de Grandhomme of his longest period on the sidelines: “Since I had the surgery the ankle felt real good a couple of weeks after, and it seems to keep getting better. It feels normal again, for a change. “It looks like I’m tracking well at the moment and I should be ready to go from ball one [in England] if I’m needed.” John Cowpland/Photosport Colin de Grandhomme fired down just 32 overs for Northern Districts this season. Assuming Devon Conway makes his test debut opening alongside Tom Latham - and coach Gary Stead hinted strongly at that when he said opener was not incumbent Tom Blundell’s “natural role” - then that leaves No 7 and fifth bowler as the most contestable spot in the top XI.