Auckland cricketer Lou Vincent is more occupied with eliminating possums and gorse from his property than any thoughts of an international cricket comeback.

The Warkworth-born former Black Cap has returned from overseas, moved back into his Kaukapakapa home and signed a season-long deal with the Auckland Aces.

For the moment, he is not missing international cricket - especially the touring and associated strains on personal life.

"Having a break for such a long time, you don't want to get too far ahead of yourself. You just want to blow a few cobwebs out, concentrate on the small things and keep things pretty simple.

"So those sorts of things aren't really on my mind, but if I get six or seven hundreds, we'll see how I'm going."

However, Vincent does have his own views on the Black Caps after their most recent test capitulation to Sri Lanka. And he is better qualified than most to have an opinion.

It was against Sri Lanka that he had his best test performance - scoring 224 in Wellington back in 2005.

He also has plenty of experience on the sub-continent, having played in the rebel Indian Cricket League.

"It's always hard to pinpoint an area, but the guys have all shown they are good enough with the bat and ball," he said.

"The key is for seven or eight to have a good game rather than four or five."

Vincent believes New Zealand could do with another spinner who turns the ball away from the right-handed batsmen, and he would opt for Bruce Martin.

But despite the Black Caps' batting woes Vincent is not looking further ahead than playing for the Aces.

He was part of the Aces' giant-killing run in the Twenty20 Champions League last month. And he is set for the New Zealand domestic season. His goal is simple: score as many runs as possible.

Vincent made his test debut in 2002 and scored a century. He went on to play 23 tests and 102 one-day internationals, scoring three centuries in each form of the game.

He also played nine T20s.

However, he left the Black Caps in 2007 to play in India and then, after suffering depression, spent time away from competitive cricket.
 
He moved to the UK, picked up building and tiling work there, and at one point travelled around with a tent, playing cricket for a variety of teams.

Vincent became a spokesman for mental health issues. He also began Lou's Wacky Woodworm Wagon Adventures, in which he travelled Britain in a van and interviewed celebrities.

He is also notable for taking a Justin Bieber doll on tour.

Vincent returned to top class cricket for Sussex in English County Cricket last year.

He is enjoying being back in New Zealand for the summer and keen to make an impression for the Aces.

- © Fairfax NZ News