After an outstanding start to his Test career, a century and a half-century in his first Test, played at Perth in the summer of 2001-02, Lou Vincent has battled to repeat the performance. Part of the problem has surrounded his place in the batting order. He opened in that debut but then did not play as well to keep the place, and he always looked more suited to a place down the order.

A superb 224, his first Test double-century, against Sri Lanka was then followed up with a good one-day series in South Africa, in October 2005 and he returned home with his reputation intact, unlike many of his team-mates. The following season he signed for Worcestershire but he then had a disappointing Champions Trophy and was overlooked for the home Test and one-day series against Sri Lanka.

When his ODI return came, as a replacement for Nathan Astle in the tri-series in Australia in early 2007, Vincent grabbed the chance with both hands and strung together innings of 66, 76 and 90. It made him New Zealand's second-highest run-scorer for the tournament, despite playing only half the games and secured his ticket to the Caribbean. He began with two ducks before finding his form with a century against Canada, but a broken wrist ended his tournament before the Super Eight stage.

His career nosedived after a poor run of form during the tour of South Africa and the Chappell-Hadlee Series that followed. Dropped for the tour of Bangladesh, he admitted to suffering from depression and lost his contract with New Zealand Cricket after joining the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League.

He has since plied his trade mainly in limited-overs cricket on the English county circuit, turning out for Lancashire in 2008, Northamptonshire in 2010 and Sussex in 2011. He also had a stint with Zimbabwe domestic side Mid West Rhinos in the 2010-11 season, and returned to New Zealand domestic cricket, playing the one-day competition and HRV Cup for Auckland. In September 2011, he travelled with Auckland to the Champions League T20 in India.
ESPNcricinfo staff September 2011