Lou Vincent aims to play for New Zealand again

AUCKLAND - Almost two years after he walked out on his New Zealand contract to join the rebel Indian Cricket League, batsman Lou Vincent has said that he wants to return to the national side.

In February 2008, Vincent had caused a stir after signing with the ICL while still contracted to New Zealand Cricket.

The decision capped off a tough run for the batsman, who, earlier in 2008 had publicly revealed that he suffered from depression not long after being dropped from the Black Caps for the Bangladesh series.

But now that the ICL has disbanded, a rejuvenated Vincent, who has been living and playing cricket in England, is targeting a comeback for his country.I did the ICL thing, which, at the time was the right decision for me because I really needed a break from New Zealand. It went okay over there but then the competition basically fell over which was a shame. From there, for the last year or so I’ve just been playing club cricket in England. Halfway through the season, I really got the itchy feet again,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Vincent, as saying.

“I’m too young to finish up now so I decided to get in contact with Auckland’s CEO Andrew Eade and New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan. They’ve been really welcoming which is great, especially considering how I left the country a couple of years ago on not too good a note after I signed with the ICL. It’s now up to me to get involved and show them that I want to play again,” he added.

NZC CEO Vaughan has welcomed Vincent’s decision, and said: “I wouldn’t have an issue with him playing for New Zealand again at all. I think he will have to prove himself and prove that he’s good enough. We’ve already welcomed back other ICL players Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey.”

“In terms of the ICL, we’ve let bygones be bygones. We are looking ahead not back and if Lou can prove himself and is committed and really wants to play for his country, then we should be looking at him,” Vaughan added. (ANI)