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Vincent thriving in his field of dreams
[Lynn McConnell] | [Original
Article]
Aucklander Lou Vincent hasn't blasted his way into the world of One-Day
International cricket in a blaze of glory with a scintillating century
or two to make the rest of the world sit up.
But in three games against Sri Lanka and two against Pakistan he has revealed
enough talent to suggest that he is a player well capable of being in
the national side for years to come.
Quick on his feet, decisive in his stroke decisions, enthusiastic in the
field and just plain enjoying his cricket, Vincent has been a breath of
fresh air in the New Zealand game.
A helpful half century partnership hand with Chris Harris in Christchurch
in New Zealand's only win over Sri Lanka was the first sign of the Vincent
potential and it was continued in Napier on Tuesday when he hit the winning
runs after sharing the match-deciding partnership of 61 with Craig McMillan.
"Both Macca [McMillan] and I were over the moon about it. The target
when we came together was still about 60-odd. Pakistan were always trying
hard, they were chirping and Wasim Akram was always trying things.
"We built it up in 10-run partnerships, that's what motivated us
to stick together and once we got to 100 that was a sort of mental thing.
Only 30 runs to get, that was our target," he said.
There's an infectiousness about Vincent's approach and it's not hard to
understand why he has so enjoyed his elevation to the national side.
"I've played cricket all my life and I've always wanted to play international
cricket and when I got there I didn't want to waste the opportunity. I
really enjoy playing cricket and I want to be as good as I can whether
I'm playing club cricket or domestic cricket," he said.
That attitude proved helpful in coping with the job in front of him on
Tuesday. The Pakistanis still sniffed a chance of embarrassing New Zealand
and Wasim Akram, in particular, was sorting around in his bag of tricks
for ways to break up the developing match-winning stand.
"Wasim bowled one slower ball that I missed. The first ball he bowled
was out of the back of the hand and I saw that one all right and the next
over he bowled the same thing but it was a yorker and I missed it and
it just missed off stump.
"He bowls with such a nice straight seam, he's just awesome. He knows
what he's doing with it, especially the new ball and while he doesn't
have the pace he used to have, he just puts the ball on the spot where
it's hard to play," he said.
Being prepared is to be forewarned and Vincent has been keen to utilise
the technology that is available to look at what to expect from the Pakistan
bowlers.
The mysteries of off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq's bowling have been analysed
through the computer material the New Zealanders have and while seeing
it on film and then seeing it in a fraction of a second out in the middle
are two different things, there is an awareness of what to expect that
helps make the job a little easier.
"I feel confident but any ball can get you out," he said.
And Vincent has appreciated the support he has had since stepping up to
international play.
"The set up New Zealand Cricket has got at the moment is great. Tristy
[coach David Trist] is doing an unbelievable job getting us young guys
motivated and working together with the older guys so we're all mixing
together now. When we first got together it was we who were putting the
pressure on the older guys to carry us but now we are trying to chip in
so release a bit of tension off them so they can free up and start whopping
it around."
The whole challenge of international cricket has been everything he expected
and pitting himself against some of the greatest names on the world scene
at the moment has made it all the more enjoyable.
"I've always set my thoughts to play international cricket.
"Watching them on television it does look pretty daunting but once
you're out there, and you've got your game sorted out and you've mentally
pictured it and are just trying to treat it as another game of cricket,
it's not as daunting once you're in the actual picture," he said.
There have been frustrations already, including his dismissal by Shoaib
Akhtar in Auckland on Sunday. But being there is the buzz and that's all
Vincent has ever wanted.
He's enjoying it and chances are high that there is much more to come
yet.
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