Cricket: Lou could be back in black

After a slow start to the HRV Cup, former Black Cap Lou Vincent has come into scintillating form. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Lou Vincent is an outside chance to receive a recall to the Black Caps for next month's limited-overs series against Bangladesh.

After a slow start to the HRV Cup, he has come into scintillating form of late.

It has coincided with Auckland heading to the top of the table ahead of the penultimate ninth round today, with a possible Champions League spot beckoning.

The 31-year-old has scored 258 runs at an average of 36.85, with a strike rate of 130 in the tournament thus far.

An opening spot could still be subject to competition at the top of the New Zealand order with Jesse Ryder and Aaron Redmond battling injuries in the groin region for the time being.

Speaking from Christchurch, Vincent says he talked to the selectors about three days ago, confirming his allegiance to New Zealand.

"They wanted to know my future plans. I said I've got to get back to England at the end of the summer, that's my home at the moment. My wife and kids are going back there next week but I want to play for the Black Caps again. That's the only discussion I've had."

There's no firm tip he will be part of team as yet, other than selector Mark Greatbatch talking up his form of late. Vincent has modestly prodded away any recall suggestions.

"My gut feel is they want to see me continue scoring runs and then maybe they'll see how I go later in the season. Let's face it, I've only been at it again for a few weeks."

Northern Districts' BJ Watling is the favourite to return as the opening partner for Brendon McCullum. He was used against Pakistan in the second match in Dubai, making seven runs from 15 balls. However it's hard to argue against Watling being in the frame after a solid test debut in Napier. In the Twenty20s this summer, he has made a solid 202 runs at 25.25, getting them at better than a run a ball.

Of the other candidates, Canterbury's Rob Nicol and Central Districts' Peter Ingram have blasted away with strike rates also in excess of 100 per cent. Ingram, who has been on the cusp of Black Caps selection for years, has hammered three half-centuries to help pin CD in the top three on 20 points. Nicol has had less impact in a losing Canterbury side but is able to contain batsmen well with his nagging right-arm off-spin.

Another highlight of the selection process could be the return of Shane Bond as he readies himself to travel to Kolkata later in the season for his US$750,000, six-week Indian Premier League contract.

He has recovered from the abdominal tear he suffered in the test win over Pakistan. Bond has been bowling up to 10 full-pace overs in the nets over the last week and had hoped to play his first game of club cricket yesterday, but the match was rained off.

Possible 12-man Black Caps squad to play Bangladesh in one Twenty20 match and three one-day internationals: BJ Watling, Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Neil Broom, James Franklin, Daniel Vettori, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Shane Bond, Ian Butler. If Bond not taken, Tim Southee.

FOR OPENERS

Who should partner Brendon McCullum in limited overs?

Peter Ingram
(Central Districts)
runs: 236
average: 47.20
strike rate: 123

Rob Nicol
(Canterbury)
run: 169
average: 21.12
strike rate: 118

BJ Watling
(Northern Districts)
runs: 202
average: 25.25
strike rate: 104

Lou Vincent
(Auckland)
runs: 258
average: 36.85
strike rate: 130

Statistics taken from the HRV Cup.