No IPL deal, but three ex-Kiwi stars enjoying “have coffin, will travel” lifestyles

AUCKLAND - Three former New Zealand palyers Hamish Marshall, Lou Vincent and Andre Adams may not be first choice selections for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, but they are enjoying “have coffin, will travel” lifestyles.

Coffin is a name for cricketers’ kit bags. Even though the trio are not wanted by the national selectors, their cricketing lives are still full, albeit at a lower level.

According to the New Zealand Herald, Marshall is looking at returning to the international fold with Ireland next April once his four-year standdown from New Zealand is over; but county cricket is the focus for now.

The 31-year-old is entering his fifth season with Gloucestershire, having just helped Northern Districts to a four-day title.

“I do enjoy it … in moderation. I like taking off in the car on a Sunday with my fiancee Mags. We grab a feed and a beer at a pub, just enjoying the English way of life,” Marshall is quoted, as saying.

Before playing for New Zealand, Marshall had five years at different clubs, including a stint as New Zealand’s Young Player to Lord’s in 1998. He fondly recalls the club scene on village greens, scones and cakes, and a debrief over a post-match pint at the local.

Vincent is in his second season in Nantwich, Cheshire.

He would like to be playing professionally full-time but, having battled depression and the severing of his New Zealand contract when he joined the Indian Cricket League in 2008, it’s been the perfect enclave for rehabilitation.

He said: “My goals aren’t purely monetary. Instead they are to get me back to living and breathing cricket so I can get contracts around the world. That is as good as I can hope for at the moment.

The 31-year-old will be eligible to play for England late next year, subject to International Cricket Council approval, but says that is more a quirky piece of trivia than an ambition at the moment.

Adams is on his way to Nottinghamshire as he continues circuiting the globe with a young family, picking up contracts with relative ease.

He has just completed a stint with Sydney’s Sutherland club which saw them finish one-day champions and two-day runners-up, despite the 34-year-old taking 5-35 in a low scoring final.

“Andre can be a fiery competitor and he performed well in all the big games,” says club scorer and treasurer Tom Iceton. “His bowling was a class above almost everyone else in the competition. (ANI)