Lou Vincent makes a comeback after 17 years, receives 100th ODI cap

Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand international, was finally awarded a commemorative cap to mark his 100th One-Day International, a milestone he achieved in 2007. The presentation was made by Sir Richard Hadlee at a small ceremony in Auckland, attended by Vincent’s family and former teammates.

“It was a lovely way to be acknowledged for my cricketing career, and to be able to use the night as an avenue to say thank you very, very much to people who’ve been by my side through the great times and the tricky times,” Vincent told The Post. “It was a really memorable, special night with some lovely words spoken.”

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Lou Vincent, who amassed 2413 runs in 102 ODIs, also played 23 Tests and nine T20Is for New Zealand between 2001 and 2007. However, his career took a dramatic turn when he became involved in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL). This led to a life ban from the ECB in 2014 for corrupt activities on the county circuit.

In a significant development, the ECB revised the punishment in December 2023, allowing Vincent to return to domestic cricket.

Reflecting on his journey, Lou Vincent expressed gratitude for the support he received during the challenging times. “The past is the past,” he said in Auckland. “It was powerful that I had such huge support for the application for the ban to be appealed and there was no opposition from the ECB, they fully respected the work I’d done behind the scenes over the last few years and using my experiences to help educate the next generation of players.”

NZC chief executive Scott Weenink acknowledged the delay in presenting Vincent with his commemorative cap, stating that it had been “for probably 13 years.” While recognizing Vincent’s past mistakes, Weenink praised his efforts in combating match-fixing. “He’s done his penance and no one has done more to fight match-fixing than he has by being so open and telling everything that he knew,” Weenink said.

The presentation of the cap was a poignant moment for both Vincent and Hadlee. According to Vincent, Hadlee, the former chairman of selectors who had first picked him for New Zealand, was moved to tears during the ceremony.

“I was able to say to him ‘Richard, you are New Zealand Cricket, you are the best player we’ve ever had, you’ve achieved so much, and for you to take time out and fly to Auckland to want to present this cap to me is so, so humbling and a reflection of the great man you are,'” Vincent said. “And he was in tears. Sir Richard Hadlee in tears!”

Vincent’s 100th ODI appearance came in Cape Town in December 2007, where he scored 18 and also took his only ODI wicket by dismissing Jacques Kallis. Now 45, and slowly returning to cricket, Vincent recently turned out for Seddon Cricket Club and was involved in a five-day match to raise awareness on men’s mental health.

As he looks ahead, Vincent is focused on rebuilding his life and contributing to the sport he loves. “Life moves on, and my life has moved on now. I’ve been blessed with a little son, and I’ve got two daughters who are teenagers,” Vincent said. “To have the opportunity to start a family again and be settled in the far north and have the beach life – a simple life – this is all I’m focused on now.”

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