Vince back in England squad
LONDON: James Vince has been recalled to England’s squad for the fourth test against India in Southampton starting on August 30, giving the elegant but underachieving batsman another chance to prove himself at the highest level.
The 27yearold Hampshire stylist will provide cover for Jonny Bairstow, who suffered a small fracture to his left middle finger after being struck by the ball while keeping wicket on day three of England’s thirdtest defeat at Trent Bridge.
The recall may offer another opportunity for Vince, who has yet to translate his handsome batting style into test substance.
He played the most recent of his 13 tests against New Zealand in March, before being dropped for the Pakistan series in May.
With a test average of 24.90, his international career has so far delivered only a few tantalising cameos, including three halfcenturies, but his county form has prompted selectors, dismayed by England’s dismal batting at Nottingham, to offer him reprieve.
Vince has scored 847 runs, the secondmost by any player, at an average of 56.46 in division one this summer, capped by innings of 74 and 147 that proved instrumental in Hampshire’s win over Nottinghamshire this week while England slumped.
‘‘The selection panel felt this was the right time to reintroduce James Vince to the test squad,’’ national selector Ed Smith said.
‘‘James will provide cover in case Jonny Bairstow’s fractured finger prevents him
a
playing in the fourth test match.
‘‘James returns to the England setup in confident form and scoring runs.
‘‘He has been in excellent form for Hampshire . . . James’ matchwinning runs also helped Hampshire to win the Royal London Cup earlier this summer.’’
Smith’s comments came only three months since he offered a more damning verdict on Vince when dropping him for the Pakistan series.
‘‘He has shown that when he plays well, boy does he look a test player.
‘‘However, he has played 13 tests and averages 24. There is a bigger picture than that.
‘‘His cricketing history has not produced the runs he should have done,’’ Smith said in May.
‘‘He has not defined enough matches in the way a toporder batsman of his ability should.’’
Selectors, though, may have felt they needed to act after India’s 203run romp in the third test which narrowed the home side’s lead to 21 after three of the five tests.
In one calamitous afternoon session on the second day, England’s batting fragility was shown up again when it lost all 10 wickets, the third time this indignity has befallen them in 22 months. — Reuters