Vince is a big hit at Hants
JAMES VINCE served a timely reminder of his limited-overs talent by powering Hampshire past Yorkshire into the final of the Royal London One-Day Cup yesterday.
The former England batsman struck a superb 171 from 126 balls as Hampshire racked up an imposing 348-9.
The White Rose wilted in reply, Liam Dawson (4-47) and Chris Wood (3-46) doing the damage as the Tykes were all out for 241 in the 44th over.
Hampshire’s victory set up a south coast clash between Hampshire and Kent at Lord’s on June 30.
While there has never been much doubt about Vince’s talent, there have always been question marks about his concentration levels.
Yet here he was the epitome of application throughout, timing his shots beautifully to hit 20 fours and three maximums, racing to his hundred in 83 balls and falling just short of his record 178 for Hampshire in the same competition last year.
Sam Northeast, whose time at final opponents Kent ended acrimoniously before switching to Hampshire in February, weighed in with 58 in a third-wicket partnership of 142.
Yorkshire were never really at the races in reply, making a stuttering start when Cheteshwar Pujara – fresh from the Test between India and Afghanistan after its premature two-day finish – was out for a four-ball duck to Dale Steyn.
The visitors slipped from 15-2 inside five overs to 73-4 in the 16th over and aside from resistance from Jonathan Tattersall, whose 81-ball 89 stood out, there was little else of substance to get them close to an imposing total.