Auckland batsman Lou Vincent's innings of 133 in his side's last Shell Cup match this season, against Northern Districts, appears to have been behind his being propelled into the CLEAR Black Caps for Tuesday's vital One-Day International with Sri Lanka in Auckland.

In announcing the team today, selection panel chairman Sir Richard Hadlee also acknowledged the close interest being taken in Dion Nash's recovery and Hadlee said that if Nash suffers no more problems over the next week or so, he has intimated he would be available for consideration for the Pakistan series.

Apart from the century he scored against ND, and a 53 scored earlier in the Cup against Canterbury, Vincent scored only 212 runs at 35.33.

However, among the contenders for positions his strike rate during the series of 85.82 was second only to discarded opener Craig Spearman who had a strike rate of 90.37.

While Roger Twose's hand injury, suffered during a mid-pitch collision with Craig McMillan is the reason for his call-up, it may well have saved Mathew Sinclair from being dropped.

Sinclair has not found the consistency his talent suggests he is capable of, especially after the quality of his best score of 85, achieved in the second ODI against Zimbabwe last month.

Sinclair also helped his cause with an outstanding fielding display during Sri Lanka's innings last night.

Andrew Penn's failure to come to grips with international play predictably brought his dropping and Darryl Tuffey, who went away after the African tour and did what the selectors asked of him and took plenty of wickets, especially in Shell Trophy play, has been recalled.

In his most recent match he helped humiliate Wellington as Northern Districts beat them by two days with Tuffey having figures of seven for 12 and four for 54.

Earlier in ND's campaign he took five for 113 against Auckland.

The full team is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Mathew Sinclair, Lou Vincent, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Darryl Tuffey, Chris Martin.

Roger Twose will remain with the squad but his sprained will rule him out of the next match. It is hoped that Twose will be available for the fourth match of the series at Hamilton on Thursday.

Chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee, said:

"Andrew Penn clearly had some difficulties with his action in the first match of the series and now has the task of returning to first class cricket to regain his form and confidence. Daryl Tuffey is a form bowler. His performance in Northern Districts' Shell Trophy match against Wellington last week was outstanding. He took 11 wickets in the match including a career-best 7-12 off 16 overs. He also performed well against Sri Lanka for the North Island selection XI taking 3-48 off 10 overs. The selectors have been pleased with his steady improvement since his return from the winter tour of Africa.

"Lou Vincent earns his debut selection for the CLEAR Black Caps to cover for Roger Twose, however, he has been closely watched by the selectors all summer. He was invited to join the side for its two-day camp in Christchurch at the start of this series. He has displayed some good form in first class cricket including making 133 not out (198 balls) in the State Auckland Aces' last Shell Cup match against Central Districts on 18 January.

Hadlee added that the selection panel was very pleased with the progress made by Dion Nash, who returned from Africa with a recurrence of his back injury.

"Dion has committed himself to the game taking over the captaincy of Auckland. He is demonstrating good form with the bat making 45 against Sri Lanka. In Auckland's Shell Trophy match against Central Districts last week he made 64 and also took 3-16.

He has indicated that he is not available for selection for the current series against Sri Lanka but should his rehabilitation continue positively he may be fit to return to international cricket for the Pakistan series," Hadlee said.

In announcing the squad Sir Richard said the first consideration of the selection panel had been to name a side to win The National Bank Series against Sri Lanka.

"We have selected a side for the here and now. We believe they are the best 12 players available. The task for the side is to win on Tuesday."

He said the panel will reselect the side for the final two matches of the Series at Hamilton and Christchurch.

"Given form, fitness and the state of the series, the selection panel have signalled to the players they will be reselecting the side for the final two matches."

© CricInfo