Sinclair: My Time's Gone

Sinclar - would still like to play for NZ.

Top-order batsman Mathew Sinclair has conceded his New Zealand career is over.

The Australian-born right-hander made an emphatic start to his Black Caps career with a double-hundred on his 1999 debut against West Indies.

However, he has failed to live up to that blistering start and made only 32 Test and 93 one-day international appearances in the following nine years.

The 32-year-old, who is the captain of the Central Stags in the State Championship, told Hawke's Bay Today: "Don't get me wrong, I still want to play for my country but I think my time's gone.

"It's time for me to create the opportunity for the younger ones to do as well or even better than I've done."

Sinclair will now use his experience to help the new wave of batsmen at the Stags to push on to follow him into international cricket.

George Worker and Doug Bracewell have been singled out as young batsman with much promise at the Stags and Sinclair said: "My submissive days are gone and I won't be coming in and out, so I'll be there right through to contribute.

"It used to be about what I wanted to do but now it'll be about what I can do for them."

Sinclair has also backed new coach Dermot Reeve to build on the work of predecessor and compatriot Graham Barlow at McLean Park.

"Dermot brings a competitive edge and as a former England international and county cricket skipper so he'll be a wealth of experience for the youngsters as well as me," he added.

Another Englishman, former Northants all-rounder Bob Carter, began his job as cch of Canterbury Wizards on Monday.

Carter, assistant to John Bracewell with the national team for the past four seasons, replaces South African Dave Nosworthy as head coach of the first-class champions.