Cricket: Vincent affirms desire to play for NZ

Lou Vincent says he wants to represent New Zealand again. Photo / Simon Baker

New Zealand has lost plenty of rugby and rugby league players to England - now a gifted cricketer is considering a career with the old enemy after being snubbed by New Zealand.

Lou Vincent is heading back to the UK to take up a deal with an English club side. He says there are no options left in New Zealand, after he was overlooked for the Australian series despite being a revelation for Auckland in the domestic Twenty20 competition.

Black Caps coach Mark Greatbatch says Vincent was not considered for the upcoming one-dayers against Australia, because he did not commit to New Zealand cricket.

Vincent denies that and feels it is important to clear the situation up. He says after a couple of tough years away from the game, he always wanted to rebuild his international career with the Black Caps.

The batsman says nothing has changed - and he has spoken with Greatbatch on a couple of occasions, telling him he wanted to stick around, and make his international return.

"I made it perfectly clear to Greatbatch. I want to play for New Zealand. I want to be considered for the Twenty20 World Cup. That's my niche, that's my specialty. I've definitely proved to the world and to the New Zealand selectors I've still got what it takes."

Vincent says he has even booked to leave for the UK the day after the Australian one-day series, in the hope he might still get a call up.

"I came back to New Zealand to prove that I wanted to play cricket again and to tell the selectors that I want to play for New Zealand again. And I guess the ball';s in their court. And yeah, if all else fails I might play against the Black Caps at the next Twenty20 World Cup for England."

- NEWSTALK ZB