Kristian’s ready for new fight
King James stakes claim for Test recall
JAMES VINCE stroked England to a comfortable T20 success to keep New Zealand winless over the visitors in 2019.
On the same Christchurch ground where he hit a confident 76 in his last Test innings, the Hampshire star got to grips with the Black Caps bowling in a way that no other player managed to help seal a seven-wicket win.
And with Joe Denly’s involvement in the tour seemingly at an end due to his ankle injury, Vince put up an early case to be considered as his Test replacement ahead of Jonny Bairstow.
Bairstow was also in the runs with 35 as England overhauled New Zealand’s 153. But after being dropped from the Test side, an immediate recall would leave him with no time to work on the areas he has been told he needs to.
Vince would be a ready-made replacement at No.3 for Joe Root’s side, with bags of skill to go with his experience, if he could share in the confidence others have in him.
“I think Bluey (Bairstow) might have something to say about that,” said Vince, 28, when asked about his chances of stepping up.
“I think I’ve said it before, although it is a different format, runs in an England shirt are always going to help you. It’s a good start and hopefully I can build on it and continue from DEAN WILSON in Christchurch
throughout the series and try to make an impact on it myself.”
With so many first-choice players being rested, this is a golden opportunity for Vince to show what he can do with a run of games.
His role at the World Cup was as a back-up batsman and when he played in place of the injured Jason Roy he failed to rise to the occasion.
There have been glimpses of his talent across all formats and his innings reminded everyone of his class.
“The side’s been so successful and dominant over the last three or four years, it’s a tough first XI to break into,” added Vince. “But any opportunities to push my case are great.
“I definitely feel some responsibility to contribute and bring the young guys on and start mixing them into the team because they will play a big part in the future.”
There were England debuts for Pat Brown, who snared Ross Taylor as his first international scalp, and Lewis Gregory, who did not bat or bowl.
Sam Curran got to complete his set of England debuts and for the first time in international T20 cricket, with Tom at the other end, a pair of brothers opened the bowling together. (inset)
KRISTIAN WOOLF expects to come under plenty of pressure when he takes over Super League champions St Helens next week.
But after coming up trumps in the bitter feud that ripped apart Tonga rugby, Woolf is ready for anything.
The 44-year-old Tonga coach, who takes over from coach of the year Justin Holbrook, said: “They are big shoes to fill and that comes with positives and some negatives.
“But I would not have taken the job if I didn’t think I would be fine with the pressure.”
Woolf steered Tonga to a well-deserved 14-6 win over Great Britain last weekend and today the islanders go head-to-head with Australia.
It comes just weeks after Woolf was sacked as bitter in-fighting brought chaos to the 2017 World Cup semi-finalists.
The players, including several high-profile NRL stars, threatened to boycott the team unless Woolf was reinstated.
They got their way and Woolf returned, sparking more threats of legal action from the previous board before a truce this week.
So it’s no wonder the Aussie father-of-four says he can deal with any challenges Super League throws up.
He said: “The real positive out of this is it puts Tonga in the spotlight.
“When it all hits the fan, then you get the opportunity to pull it apart and start again.
“We get to be the ones that lead the reform and set the whole thing up a bit differently.
“Saints have been really supportive and encouraged me to remain a part of these Tests and part of it going forward.
“But one thing I have to make sure is that any involvement with Tonga doesn’t impact on Saints.”