Photo Credit: Zimbabwe Cricket
New Zealand Cricket has joined with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association in welcoming a relaxation of the life ban imposed on former international Lou Vincent.
In a ruling just announced, the England & Wales Cricket Board’s disciplinary arm has agreed to revise the penalties imposed on Vincent in 2014 so that he can participate and be involved in cricket matches at, or below domestic level.
The changes will take immediate effect.
Gerard Elias CBE KC on behalf of the Cricket Discipline Commission, said in a statement the decision was reached following careful consideration of the specific circumstances of Vincent’s case, the supporting evidence, and representations from a number of major cricket stakeholders, including the International Cricket Council, NZC, and the ECB.
In particular, he said, it recognised Vincent’s full and frank admissions and disclosures; his immediate and total cooperation with cricket and civil authorities in various parts of the world, and his participation in anti-corruption education programmes for New Zealand Cricket and the ECB.
Mr Elias said he was satisfied these factors justified “an amelioration of the original sanction at this time”.
Vincent said he was grateful to be given a second chance.
“I made a terrible mistake many years ago which I’ll deeply regret for the rest of my life, and I remain very sorry for the harm I caused.
“Being able to return to the cricket environment means the world to me and I feel very fortunate to again have that opportunity.
“I want to thank the ECB and the Cricket Discipline Committee and Mr Gerald Elias CBE KC for their consideration of my application and their ultimate determination.
“Same with the ICC, NZC, the NZCPA and the many other organisations who supported me throughout this process – it’s meant so much to me on a personal level.
“It’s also important for me to acknowledge and thank my lawyer Chris Morris, whose guidance and support over many years is something I’ll never forget.”
Vincent said he would look forward to supporting and helping the game at a community level in the years ahead, and attending cricket matches with his family.
NZCPA chief executive Heath Mills welcomed the ruling.
“The penalties have been particularly hard on Lou and he’s shown a lot of humility in owning his mistakes and setting about making amends.
“I’m pleased the authorities have recognised his contribution to the fight against match fixing and also, his ongoing efforts to educate players and administrators around the world on anti-corruption.”
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said his organisation supported the relaxation of Vincent’s penalty.
“We’re pleased for Lou,” he said. “He made a mistake but he’s part of our cricket family and we want to support him and stand by him.
“Lou’s given a lot to the game, not least in helping spread the anti-corruption message over the past decade, and it’s good and right that he can be more involved again.”
Weenink said NZC wanted to thank the ECB, CDC, and the ICC for their understanding, and also acknowledge the hard work undertaken behind the scenes by the NZCPA, and Chris Morris.
“It says something about Lou that so many people wanted to help him,” he said. “It’s a good decision, and we’re all very grateful.”
Name of Author: New Zealand Cricket
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
