Joe’s rooting for Vince to seal his spot
JOE ROOT says he has full confidence in James Vince’s ability to succeed in Test cricket and believes he may yet challenge Nick Compton for the No3 spot before the end of the summer.
Who should come in at first wicket down was one of the most pressing questions the selectors had to face before they named their squad yesterday to face Sri Lanka in Leeds next week.
In the end, they opted to stick with the Middlesex man on account of Root’s hesitancy to move up a place, Vince’s inexperience, and the injuries and poor form of possible rivals such as Ian Bell and Gary Ballance.
But if Compton’s inclusion for the time being spares Vince from the fire pit of an international debut at No3, the picture may change later in the summer if Root is proven right.
“It is a good thing having two possible No3s in the squad,” said Root. “It means you have people wanting to prove that they are the man to stick with. It is important to have that competition. That sets us up nicely for the start of the summer.
“James has been around the side all winter in shorter formats and has a fantastic temperament. He has got a solid game which fits beautifully for Test cricket and given the opportunity I’m sure he will take it and show his class.”
Vince’s classical style has been likened on more than one occasion to Michael Vaughan. And while Root is reluctant to saddle the 25-year-old Hampshire batsman with unhelpful comparisons, it is a measure of his confidence in his new team-mate that he did not hold back when asked how good he might be.
“James has that very classical cover drive and the swivel pull – the two shots that Vaughany was remembered for. But you can’t really make comparisons between the two,” he said.
“James is his own player and I am looking forward to him stamping his own mark on Test cricket. He is one of those players who will come in to international cricket from county cricket and really raise his game.
“James is a fine player and I am excited he has the chance to show everyone how good he is.”
Given that Vince could ultimately keep Root away from the No3 spot, the Yorkshireman
JGFIK @E 9I@<= JHL8; =FI =@IJK K<JK
MO-JOE: England will continue their positive style yesterday joked he was already moving him one place down the pecking order.
With Vince a more than capable footballer, who played for Reading Academy for three years and for Trowbridge Town in non-League football, Root will suffer when selection is made for the pre-match kickabout.
“He is a tasty footballer so it puts me down a place when teams are being picked, but never mind,” said Root. Yet out in the middle Root’s pre-eminence is undisputed and the batsman is looking forward to putting on a good show this summer with a continuation of England’s ultraaggressive swagger.
Joe Root has teamed up with Vitality to act as an ambassador to help inspire people to be active and make positive changes to their lifestyle. Visit www.vitality.com for more.