TAKEN BY SURPRISE
Vince call-up shock
JAMES VINCE admits even he was surprised to get an Ashes call-up.
Vince averages just 19 from seven Tests with a top score of 42, but he has been handed the job of filling England’s problem No.3 slot.
“Initially I didn’t expect to get the call, but after I had a bit of time for it to settle in I was very excited,” the Hampshire batsman said.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to establish myself in the team and kick-start my Test career.”
Vince was speaking on the day England started their first practice session of the tour at the WACA.
Joe Root’s men play a two-day warm-up match against a Western Australia XI, starting on Saturday.
That will be followed by two more tour matches, in Adelaide and Townsville, before the first Test starts in Brisbane on November 23. ® from RODNEY WHITE England will go into the series as underdogs but Vince claims that will suit them.
“I’d quite like it if people wrote us off because I don’t think necessarily we are underdogs,” he added.
Weakness
“It will be tough but seeing the guys we have got here, we have got a great opportunity to do something special.”
He also believes the flatter Aussie pitches, and the Kookaburra balls, will help him resolve a perceived weakness outside off stump.
“I think everyone gets caught in the slips in Test cricket at times but I want to be a bit more selective in the balls I’m trying to attack and defend out here,” said the 26-year-old.
“It could be that that’s a good scoring opportunity for me, if the ball’s not moving about.
“From a batting point of view, the Kookaburra generally does a bit less and it’s a good place to come.” CHRIS SILVERWOOD, who steered Essex to the County Championship title, has been appointed England bowling coach.
The 42-year-old, who played in six Tests, replaces new South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson and will start in January.