KEY POINTS:
Perth - It wouldn't surprise if New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent missed the flight to Melbourne to savour a few more days of batting on the WACA cricket ground.
His man of the match innings of 76 anchored a record New Zealand total against England of 318 for seven here last night, their second 300-plus score at the ground in three days.
Vincent cracked 66 here against Australia on Sunday, having spoken pre-match about the golden memories of his 104 and 54 on test debut in the Western Australian capital in December 2001.
"I guess it's been good to me. I'm not sure when our next tour here is, next year hopefully," he said with a grin.
"It's great memories of this place but I've tried to keep the focus pretty simple, just watch the ball and don't get out."
Vincent, 28, only arrived in Perth late on Friday after Nathan Astle's shock retirement.
He was pressed straight into action on Sunday, in his first international appearance since a wretched Champions Trophy tournament in October/November, and hasn't looked back.
Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell got the credit for remodelling Vincent's batting technique late last year as he struggled with his New Zealand axing, shoring up his defensive technique and honing his mental approach to batting.
"I'm chuffed to take the opportunity. I've had to go away and work on a few things in my game and I'm starting to get it together. I want to be a big part of this team going forward to the World Cup."
He batted 40.1 overs yesterday, adding 137 with Ross Taylor to set the launching pad for Jacob Oram's whirlwind 54 not out.
It was Vincent's 11th 50-plus score in his 89th one-day international, topped by his New Zealand record 172 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2005.
A third consecutive half-century against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, is spurring Vincent on with World Cup selection now certain.
"Consistency's the thing I've lacked in the past and I want to make sure I'm doing a job every time I go out to bat.
"It's more of an opportunity to play in a great place against top competition and do well, that's the motivation."
- NZPA
