The ICC claims the rankings are based on performances in the last 12-15 months. Fielding is not taken into account.
Regardless of whether the governing body's bat and ball ratios are right – and surely your batting average must at least exceed your bowling average to qualify? – de Grandhomme strikes as underrated because of the way he can change the tempo of a game.
What's more, the man known by his teammates as "Dutchie" is revered in the dressing room for an attitude which embraces the team-based ethos. Histrionics are not his forte.
A prime example occurred at Hagley Oval across the second and third days.
De Grandhomme came to the middle at a red-alert 91 for five in response to South Africa's 364.
He launched into a laissez-faire display of stroke-making. Counterattack proved his best form of defence to throw the Proteas' bowlers off their line and length.
Applying such panache and surety in those circumstances takes courage, because the strategy is high risk. However, as has become customary, the taciturn de Grandhomme delivered with action. Executing with impunity, he rifled off boundaries with lumberjack-like power on his way to an unbeaten 54 off 61 balls on the second evening.
That continued with a square drive to the fence off Marco Jansen to start the third day and, if anything, New Zealand failed to fully capitalise on his form. He was stranded unbeaten on 120 with 15 boundaries to his credit.
De Grandhomme's also only human.
Just when he seemed immune from blemish, a dolly was spilt at square leg from Rassie van der Dussen on 40 off Neil Wagner. The gaffe eventually only cost five runs, meaning redemption was swift. He must still rank as the team's MVP thus far.
