Pocock not expecting call-up with focus elsewhere

Blair Pocock joined another former New Zealand opening batsman Matthew Bell in knocking on the national selectors' door with a fluent Shell Trophy century today, but Pocock, the Auckland captain, does not expect he will be re-admitted to the Test team.

The 29-year-old Pocock scored his tenth first class century today, maintaining that his present batting form was probably better than during his New Zealand career in the mid-1990's - a career sadly and frequently interrupted by injury.

"I am not really expecting this century will send a message to the national selectors," said Pocock.

"My priorities are different now. It felt good to get some runs - after being dropped first ball - as we have been putting the acid on the batsmen to get runs. Apart from Tim McIntosh's big score against Canterbury we have not done well with the bat, so it was satisfying to lead the way with some runs."

Pocock's other priorities these days are his growing young family, and a marketing job with a firm called Essential Utilities. The family increased by one daughter, Meg, three weeks ago - joining her mother Debbie and brother Joshua.

Pocock said he would not turn his back on Test cricket if offered the chance, but he does have some regrets that his career was not more successful.

"I averaged about 36 over the last six Tests (of his 15-Test career) and probably I am batting better now than I was then.

"But now my focus is on Auckland, and getting them off the bottom of the Trophy ladder."