Numbers don’tadd uptoruns forVince
ENGLAND will put their faith in James Vince for the Ashes, based almost entirely on hope rather than expectation.
As Mark Stoneman hit the first ton of the tour, the Hampshire batsman managed just 26 before getting out to leg spinner Daniel Fallins in his last innings before walking out in Brisbane for the first Test.
And when the pressure, intensity and standard of cricket is significantly higher than what he has faced so far on the tour, what evidence is there that he will rise to the challenge? None.
Vince’s last three scores here have been 26, 33 and 29. England’s management insisted Vince would be suited to Aussie conditions.
But the evidence suggests it is simply wrong to believe he will thrive in Test cricket since his performances have tended to drop off the higher the standard he has played.
In Division Two county cricket Vince averages 50.12 but in Division One it’s 30.86 and then in Test cricket it is an even more modest 19.27.
And yet with Ben Stokes suspended and Joe Root reluctant to move from No.4, Vince remains the man in whom England are putting their faith at No.3.
Australia are expected to hand Tim Paine a shock Ashes recall 78 matches after his last Test cap and with just one first-class hundred to his name.
Cameron Bancroft is in line to make his debut as opener and the hosts have recalled Shaun Marsh for the eighth time in his career.