New Zealand have shed another player after ending Lou Vincent's contract because he joined the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League. Fears that the ICL would weaken international cricket have hit New Zealand in particular, and Vincent is now the eighth player to effectively end his national career through the association.
Justin Vaughan, New Zealand Cricket's chief executive, said that Vincent should have sought permission from the board first before signing. "I have met with Lou and the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association over the past couple of days," Vaughan said," and have expressed to them how disappointed I was that Lou had breached his NZC contract.
"We stand by these contracts regardless of performance or injury and we expect players to do the same. I understand the NZCPA will be talking to players about the need to honour the terms of their contracts."
Vincent, who has played 23 Tests and 102 ODIs, did not make a comment and it has not been his year. It's only three weeks since it was revealed he was fighting depression and he was dropped for the home series against Bangladesh following a string of poor scores during New Zealand's tour to South Africa and the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in Australia. After that he didn't play domestic cricket for Auckland for a month.
One of the selectors, Dion Nash, had supported Vincent recently saying: "We value him very highly." But it appears they didn't rate him enough although they were consistent - they also severed links with the fast bowler Shane Bond.
Bond, Hamish Marshall and Daryl Tuffey signed with the ICL before calling and end to their careers. Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan had already retired while Andre Adams signed up after losing patience with the selectors. They omitted him from the Tests against Bangladesh despite him leading the State Championship bowling averages with 29 wickets at 8.27. With all the departures New Zealand cricket is looking weaker by the week.
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