Cricket: Vincent set for the sidelines

Lou Vincent's good form with the bat may not be enough to carry the day with selectors. Picture / Nigel Marple

The news just seems to go from bad to worse for test discard Lou Vincent.

Unlucky to have missed selection for the West Indies series, the Auckland right-hander now appears likely to miss out on the 15-man squad to tour South Africa, despite the need for extra batting cover.

Coach and selection boss John Bracewell yesterday dropped his strongest hint yet that he would look to former test opener Michael Papps to provide back-up for the touring squad, expected to be announced this week.

Speaking after a washed out day three of the third test against the West Indies, a candid Bracewell discussed his plan to select specialist back-up for the opening batting position, a second spinner to Daniel Vettori, and if at all possible, all-rounder Jacob Oram.

Translated, his comments appeared to raise the likelihood of more heartache for Vincent, a maiden test tour for Wellington spinner Jeetan Patel, and a challenging time ahead for incumbent No 6 Scott Styris.

Bracewell made it clear at the start of this month that he didn't view Vincent as an opening proposition, and that Papps, who has an unfortunate record for being struck square between the eyes, was his next option.

"We need cover for the opening position rather than the middle-order; I don't think there's any doubt about that, really," he said.

"I think it [an extra opener] gives us better depth and keeps that continuity in the middle. Still, the middle-order needs to be challenged but if Jake [Oram] is selected, then I'm sure he'll provide that challenge."

Oram, who bowed out of the Sri Lankan series in January with a foot problem, has been making steady progress for Central Districts over the past month, and was yesterday showing form with the ball against Northern Districts.

Bracewell believes the inclusion of a genuine front-line all-rounder would allow his side to carry a far more potent bowling attack, creating a better chance of dismissing South Africa.

However, his comments on the issue are unlikely to rest comfortably with Styris, whose No 6 position - according to Bracewell - is almost certain to be snapped up by Oram, should he be cleared by the medicos.

"There's no doubt in my mind, it's much better to have someone batting at No 6 who can bowl a heavy ball, rather than what we've got now."

"Ideally, when you're up against the best teams in the world, you want your best combination on board. I think a strong bowler at No 6 gives you more than a stopper, which is what we're currently using in this series.

"It might swing and things over here, but the true measure will be in South Africa."

Bracewell appeared upbeat about Oram's chances of being cleared to tour, saying the squad might have been named earlier if it hadn't been for the selectors' wish to give the all-rounder more time to prove himself.

"In the past we've taken him away to get him fit enough to bowl [and it hasn't worked]," said Bracewell.

"He's now actually bowling, so that gives him a better chance than before. This is his third successive first-class game, he's increased his bowling loads each time and this match should be a good test for it."

As for a second spinner, he was mindful of the problems that arose in 2004, when New Zealand toured England and Daniel Vettori broke down in the second test.

Having signalled his preference for Patel ahead of off-spinner Paul Wiseman when he named his 13-man squad for the three tests against the West Indies, Bracewell is unlikely to have a change of heart now.

He said Central Districts paceman Michael Mason, who proved the find of the season, had "more or less" declared himself unfit because of problems with ankles and calves.

Possible squad:
Stephen Fleming (c), Jamie How, Hamish Marshall, Michael Papps, Peter Fulton, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Kyle Mills, Shane Bond, Chris Martin, Jeetan Patel.