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Auckland batsman Lou Vincent is being rushed to Perth as a replacement for veteran Nathan Astle, who is rumoured to be announcing his retirement in a matter of hours.
While secrecy still surrounds the reasons for Astle's retirement bombshell, the Herald understands that Vincent is being flown to Western Australia as a replacement, ahead of Sunday's tri-series one-dayer against Australia.
Vincent was controversially omitted from the squad for the one-dayers against Sri Lanka and tri-series, but has been evidently offered a World Cup lifeline following some strong form for Auckland in the State Shield.
In his two most recent outings, the righthander has struck 129 against Canterbury and 51 against Northern Districts, easing fears that an earlier form slump would leave him on the outer for the remainder of the international season.
Team manager John Durning has scheduled a press conference for 1pm (NZT) amid speculation that Astle has opted to end his career midway through the one-day tournament for unknown reasons.
Durning would only say the press conference would involve an "important announcement", but refused to elaborate on the details, apart from saying it was not connected to the surprise arrival of New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden this week.
Astle - who has played 223 ODIs and scored 16 centuries - has struggled for form in this series, stringing together scores of 0, 45, 0 and 1.
New Zealand manager Lindsay Crocker was also tight-lipped last night, refusing to confirm or deny if a player was leaving the tour, and if so - whether it was because of a loss of form or injury.
