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It was only a couple of months ago that Lou Vincent was wondering if his international career was as good as over.
Having played no part in New Zealand's past three test series, the 28-year-old opener plumbed new depths last month when he was axed from the one-day squad to play Sri Lanka,following a poor Champions Trophy campaign in India.
However, Vincent's remarkable roller-coaster ride under coach John Bracewell reached another high this week when he was rushed to Perth as a replacement for Nathan Astle, breathing life back into his World Cup hopes.
Recalled on the back of some solid State Shield form for Auckland, he readily admitted yesterday that he had doubts about his future after scoring just 34 runs in the Champions Trophy, and missing the Sri Lanka series.
"To be dropped again was pretty hard after scoring a hundred four or five games ago [against the West Indies last summer]," he said. "I knew I needed to go back and work on things; my confidence was shattered and I thought if I'm not getting a look in, then I'm not really good enough and my style's not what the team needs.
"Once I got that groove back, it was more about the mental side. Actually believing I was good enough and re-discovering the confidence from playing well for New Zealand - and remembering those days - was very important for me."
Coincidentally, Vincent is poised to make his comeback at the same ground (the WACA) where he stunned Steve Waugh's Australians in the third test five years ago, scoring a century on debut as New Zealand went close to an unlikely win.
Remarkably, his 104 was the first century scored on debut by a touring player in Australia since the Nawab of Pataudi (sen.) struck 102 in the second test of the Bodyline series. It is one of only four after the first-time efforts of Englishmen R.E. Foster in 1903-04 and George Gunn in 1907-08.
Despite his spell in the wilderness, Vincent said he was feeling optimistic about making his comeback on such a familiar ground, particularly after earning his call-up on the back of State Shield scores of 48, 129 and 51.
"I've been out of the team for a while and I believe I'm a lot better player than I was back then," he said. "I'm not saying I'll get a hundred but it's just an excited buzz.
"I don't feel overawed by the Australians. I'm just excited to be given an opportunity to prove myself against the best team in the world again."
Vincent has been primed to open the batting with Stephen Fleming this evening, in what will be a straight swap with Astle - who has flown back home to Christchurch after dropping his retirement bombshell.
