Cricket: Vincent knocks off legend

Lou Vincent celebrates his century against Zimbabwe. Picture / Reuters

Lou Vincent returned from almost two years in the one-day cricket wilderness to help New Zealand pile up the second-highest total in one-day international history against Zimbabwe yesterday.

Opener Vincent smashed a career-best 172 as New Zealand reached 397 for five in 44 overs, before dismissing Zimbabwe for 205 for a 192-run victory. The match was reduced from 50 overs each after a damp pitch delayed the start.

In the opening game of a triangular series also involving India, the Black Caps finished just one run short of the record 398 for five achieved by Sri Lanka against Kenya at Kandy in 1996.

"I was excited to be given a chance to show off at the top, and it was my day," said Vincent.

"I was given the confidence by the team and by the management to play the way I want to play."

Vincent's innings, which included 16 fours and nine sixes in 119 balls, surpassed Glenn Turner's 171 not out against East Africa in a 60-over match at the 1975 World Cup as the highest score made in one-dayers by a New Zealander.

"Knocking off one of the legends of our history is exciting, and I'm happy to have the skills to be able to do it," Vincent said.

He and captain Stephen Fleming shared an opening stand of 204, a New Zealand record for any wicket.

"To score that many runs in that amount of overs was pretty special," said Fleming.

"There was some great hitting, and a fine innings from Lou. I tend to feed off who I'm batting with, and today was exceptional.

"To get almost 400 against any side means there are some pretty good skills on display."

Fleming played down the poor quality of the opposition: "We're rejoicing and looking at the way we played rather than at the state of Zimbabwean cricket."

Highest ODI totals

* 398-5 (50 overs) Sri Lanka v Kenya, Kandy 1996

* 397-5 (44 overs) New Zealand V Zimbabwe, Bulawayo 2005

* 391-4 (50 overs) England v Bangladesh, Nottingham 2005

* 376-2 (50 overs) India V New Zealand, Hyderabad 1999

* 373-6 (50 overs) India v Sri Lanka, Taunton 1999

- REUTERS