Lou Vincent

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Lou Vincent bigraphy, stories - New Zealand cricketer

Lou Vincent : biography

11 November 1978 –

Lou Vincent (born 11 November 1978) is a former New Zealand cricketer and batsman. He has represented New Zealand in Test match, One Day International and Twenty20 International cricket as well as playing for Auckland in New Zealand domestic cricket and Worcestershire and Lancashire in English domestic cricket.

Early and personal life

Vincent was born in Warkworth, New Zealand and is the son of well known ABC NewsRadio sports announcer Mike Vincent. Vincent became interested in cricket at an early age as his dad Mike used to represent Eden Roskill Cricket Club of Auckland in first grade cricket and took Lou too all the international matches at Eden Park.

At the age of 12 his parents separated with Mike and Lou moving to Adelaide in Australia where lou began playing in the age-tournaments. After Vincent was left out of several important age-group games by his coach he decided to move back to New Zealand at the age of 18.

When Vincent returned to New Zealand he had the opportunity to play for the New Zealand in the 1998 Under 19 Cricket World Cup. He played for Esholt Cricket Club of the Bradford Cricket League in England during the off season while continuing to play for Auckland in New Zealand domestic cricket. He also considered jockeying as a career and has refereed in Australian Rules football.

International career

A right-handed batsman, Vincent made his Test match debut in 2001–02 when he opened the batting against Australia at Perth. In a bizarre New Zealand first innings of 534/9 declared which saw four players make hundreds but no-one else reach double figures, Vincent made 104. He followed this up with 54 in the second innings.

In 2005–06, Vincent hit 172 in a One Day International against Zimbabwe at Harare to set a new record for the highest individual innings for New Zealand in ODIs, beating Glenn Turner’s 171 not out against East Africa in the 1975 World Cup. Vincent’s innings came off just 120 balls, and included 16 fours and nine sixes.

Vincent was recalled into the New Zealand squad for the Commonwealth Bank Tri Series due to the sudden retirement of veteran Nathan Astle midway through the series. Once in Australia he became New Zealand’s most prolific run scorer, with three consecutive half centuries, contributing to three consecutive totals of over 290.

Vincent played in the early stages of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean but after scoring a century and fielding well he caught a blow in the nets from Shane Bond and fractured his wrist. He was replaced in the squad by Hamish Marshall.

After being dropped from the national team due to the implementation of a rotation policy and despite his good form Vincent suffered from Major depressive disorder and his contract with New Zealand Cricket was then later terminated with his signing for the Chandigarh Lions of the Indian Cricket League cited as the reason. Some commentators have mentioned unfair treatment of Vincent by the then New Zealand coach John Bracewell as the main cause for his departure from the national team.

Achievements and records

  • Vincent equalled the most runs scored in boundaries by a batsman in an ODI of 118.
  • Vincent became only the sixth New Zealander to make a hundred on Test debut, and only the second to achieve the feat on foreign soil.
  • Vincent was chosen to represent the ICL World XI team during the 2008 ICL season.

Awards

  • Vincent has won five One Day International and one Test match Man of the Match awards.
  • Vincent has won two Twenty20 Man of the Match awards while playing for Lancashire in English domestic cricket.
  • Vincent won Lancashire’s Player of the Month award for June 2008.

Domestic career

First-class cricket

Vincent played for Auckland from 1997 to 2008 competing in the State Championship first class competition, the State Shield domestic one day competition and the state twenty20 competition. In 2006, Vincent signed for Worcestershire to play county cricket for part of the English season. He had a fine debut on 25 June, making 83 from 91 balls to help set up a 50-run win over Yorkshire in the C&G Trophy.