KEY POINTS:
Test cricket may be a numbers game but at least one statistic eluded Mathew Sinclair after his latest net session with the Black Caps yesterday.
And given the stop-start nature of his New Zealand career since that stunning 214 on debut at the Basin Reserve in 1999, he could possibly be forgiven for a vague response when asked whether this week's test against Sri Lanka qualified as his third or fourth comeback.
"I don't know. I've been in and out of the side so many times now, I can't count," Sinclair explained, as he contemplated the first instalment of the two-test rubber at Jade Stadium in Christchurch on Thursday.
While uncertain of the chronological order of this latest recall, Sinclair rightly pointed out "it's been a long time between innings".
When he pads up at first drop, it will be just over two years since a double failure in Adelaide killed off his most recent resurrection.
Australia have tormented the Central Districts strokemaker throughout a 25-test career that has seen feast inevitably followed by famine.
In three series Sinclair has seen his average and confidence plummet against the Aussies, and ominously his test record against Sri Lanka appears to offer him little cause for optimism.
Sinclair has played two tests against Muttiah Muralitharan and Co, though they were on the mesmerising spinner's home tracks in 2003.
Four brief innings in Colombo and Kandy yielded the right-hander just 21 runs at 5.25, with Muralitharan twice proving unplayable.
Understandably, Sinclair, who averages 36.89 from 42 test innings, was yesterday keen to dwell on more recent exploits at the crease and the continuation of the rich vein of form which last season saw him awarded the Redpath Cup as the country's premier domestic batsman.
He played nine first class games in 2005-06, plundering 723 runs at 51.64 thanks to three hundreds and five half centuries, although it was not enough to see him tour South Africa in April.
Undeterred, the 31-year-old has continued to find the middle of the bat since the State Championship opened last month, with last week's 109 against Northern Districts, his 22nd first class ton, sealing his return at the expense of Peter Fulton.
This is arguably Sinclair's most notable recall to international duty, considering his New Zealand Cricket contract was not renewed 18 months ago, prompting him to consider playing options in South Africa and his native Australia.
However, he had a heart-to-heart with Black Caps coach John Bracewell before the Champions Trophy one-day squad left for India in October and was encouraged.
"I instigated it so we got together and nutted a few things out - what I needed to do and what he expected from me.
"I wasn't getting frustrated, I just wanted to know where I stood. We're in a professional environment, it's what would happen in any work situation if you didn't know what was going on.
"He basically said 'Mat, go out and be consistent, the best domestic player around'. Now I've been given a fantastic opportunity. It takes me back a few years to when I was making my debut for New Zealand.
"It has that same feeling about it."
He realised however the scrutiny would be more intense.
"There's going to be a lot of pressure around it all. With the lads not going well [at the Champions Trophy] as far as the top order is concerned, collectively we have to get together here and nut out how we're going to put big scores up."
That is top of Sinclair's agenda over the next few days, knowing this series provides the glue for a settled stint in the top order.
"After the World Cup they're going back to 10 test matches [next season]. I see these two tests as an intro to get back in there."
Meanwhile, pace bowler Kyle Mills saw a specialist in Auckland yesterday to assess the knee injury that forced him out of the first test with a NZC spokesman expecting more details today.
The Black Caps' open net session was switched indoors due to rain though the forecast was encouraging leading up to Thursday.
Sri Lanka arrived in Christchurch from Dunedin after their four-day warm-up game against Otago and will resume training today.
MATHEW SINCLAIR
* Test debut 1999.
* 214 on debut.
* Average 36.89 runs from 42 test innings.
* Against Sri Lanka 21 runs at 5.25.
- NZPA
