Cricket: Vincent donning gloves for Aces

By CHRIS RATTUE

Will it be a flirtation with the gloves, or the beginning of a new career?

New Zealand A batsman Lou Vincent begins a wicketkeeping stint in the Shell Cup today, with Auckland coach Tony Sail believing it could provide the 21-year-old with another avenue to higher honours.

Vincent will be behind the stumps as well as batting at No 4 when Auckland take on Wellington in the opening round in a day-night match at Eden Park.

The 21-year-old Vincent, a batsman with New Zealand A over the past two seasons, is only in the infancy of his top-grade career.

He played age-grade representative cricket for South Australia after he left Warkworth with his father when aged 12. After returning to New Zealand a couple of years ago, he has played in seven Shell Trophy matches (average 60), and 11 Shell Cup games (average 24).

But Auckland have taken a bit of a punt following the retirement of Jason Mills and will play Vincent behind the stumps for the first five one-day matches before New Zealand wicketkeeper Adam Parore returns.

It means Auckland have shifted their best cover fieldsman so they can play a genuine wicketkeeper-batsman.

Vincent had one decent innings for New Zealand A against England A but struggled in others against them and the West Indies this season. He is now learning a demanding new craft while trying to establish himself as a class batsman and test prospect.

Auckland suggested the move early in the year and Vincent did some wicketkeeping in the Bradford league in England and in Auckland's warm-up matches and Cricket Max.

"I was a bit surprised when it was suggested, because my experience there is pretty remote," Vincent said yesterday.

"But I love being involved with every ball and I've taken to it much better than I expected.

"I've put in hours and hours of practice with a couple of the pace bowlers and [legspinner] Brooke Walker, who is pretty tough to keep to.

"But it's important that it doesn't affect my batting and I've been putting in extra work there as well."

Sail said Vincent was a natural athlete and the obvious choice among the current Auckland batsmen to make the switch.

"We would not contemplate the move unless Lou was fully supportive of it. As long as it doesn't affect his batting it will be his job until Adam returns."

"No one is really pressuring Adam in the New Zealand side. There is a gap there in New Zealand cricket.

"Absolutely, I believe he could go higher. Players have to be aware of the advantages of adding skills to their game these days."

Meanwhile, Blair Pocock passed a late fitness test on his injured ribs and will lead the side, with Richard King dropping out for today's match and Thursday's clash against the Central Stags on the Outer Oval. Pocock will bat at five, with Aaron Barnes opening alongside Llorne Howell.

The Wellington match is the only scheduled day-night Shell Cup game at Eden Park but Auckland are likely to repeat the experiment if the Aces make the finals with home advantage. Today's match starts at 2 pm.