Cricket: Vincent does the legwork

By CHRIS RATTUE

Lou Vincent is using speed of foot to make up for a lack of pace in New Zealand's wickets.

The new Vincent game plan got its first extended run on the Eden Park outer oval yesterday as he anchored the Auckland innings against Central Districts.

Gone was the dasher, and in came the dash. Apart from a quick 30 against India in Napier, Vincent's 64 against Central Districts was his first substantial knock for some time.

Rain eventually washed out the State Shield one-day match, with Auckland set for victory after scoring 250, and having Central at 14 for four.

Vincent had been released back to Auckland by the national selectors and is searching for confidence and form by departing from his traditional methods on the slow New Zealand wickets and outfields.

He gained some vital confidence, in a season he described as "horrible" so far, with an innings of just over two-and-a-half hours against Central.

As soon as Vincent came to the crease, batting at number three, he tested the Central field with sharp running. That was the central core of a 67-run partnership with Rob Nicol which set Auckland on course.

"I've learned from guys like Mark Richardson, who works out wickets really well and has a simple game plan to suit," said Vincent.

"I used to be a bit of a hothead and a bit of a blaster, but over the last couple of weeks I've really worked to change my approach.

"New Zealand has what we call block/slog wickets and I need to use my speed between the wickets.

"I'm going to drop it at my feet and run. You have to understand the way to play and how you are going to succeed."

Vincent always looked like a batsman made for the quick wickets in Australia, where he had a brilliant test debut. The wickets in Africa for the upcoming World Cup may also suit his game.

But for now, he is playing the other game, and yesterday he compiled his 66 from 119 balls, with just 12 runs from boundaries.

The impetus for Auckland's solid total came from Aaron Barnes, who followed his man-of-the-match performance against Canterbury with 44 from just 24 balls, including five fours and two sixes.

But rain let Central Districts off the hook against Auckland, who were without Matt Horne because of a finger injury suffered in practice.

Central started encouragingly with Brent Hefford diving full length at mid-off for a superb catch from Richardson's bat.

Vincent and Barnes took over, however, before rookie Gareth Shaw and late selection Heath Davis wrecked Central's early run chase.