Cricket: Vincent keen on sticking around

Lou Vincent hit 105 in Auckland's win against Wellington in their Twenty20 match. Photo / Dean Purcell

Lou Vincent's return to New Zealand cricket will be longer than originally expected.

The gifted Auckland opener is now staying on until the end of the first-class season, which finishes on April 1, instead of heading back to Britain with his wife and two daughters at the end of the domestic HRV Cup at the end of this month.

And that in turn raises an interesting question: would New Zealand's selectors be inclined to pick Vincent in the remaining international home season against Bangladesh and Australia?

New Zealand have a total of three Twenty20 internationals, eight ODIs and three tests against those two opponents.

New Zealand's batting against Pakistan in the recent drawn test series was a mixed bag, to be polite. Beggars can't be choosers and New Zealand is not so chockful of richly talented batsmen it can ignore someone of Vincent's ability without at least having a hard look.

Vincent, 31, hit 105 off just 60 balls to steer Auckland to a crushing win over Wellington in their Twenty20 clash at Colin Maiden Park last Wednesday.

If he continues in the same vein, and with question marks over Jesse Ryder (fitness) and the merits of other batting specialists particularly in the test game, Vincent's would be an intriguing name to put into the selection hat.

He left New Zealand on poor terms in 2007, walking out on a contract with the national body to join the rebel Indian Cricket League, but indications are that NZC has taken a water-under-the-bridge philosophy. Looking forward, rather than back, is rightly the way to go.

"We're absolutely delighted he's able to extend his trip here this summer," said Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade.

Eade said that as Vincent is playing for Auckland as a domestic player, rather than an overseas import - even though he's been living in Britain - he is eligible for New Zealand.

"In that one innings against Wellington, he showed he's still one of the classiest players New Zealand has produced. He's always been mercurial and has something very special about him with a bat in his hands," Eade said.

Vincent's test debut produced 104 against Australia at Perth in November 2001. His 23rd and last test was at Centurion near Pretoria just over two years ago.

He averages 34.15 in tests, with three centuries highlighted by 224 against Sri Lanka in Wellington five years ago. He's hit 2413 ODI runs in 102 games at 27.11 and his strike rate from nine Twenty20 internationals is an even 100.