James Vince has acknowledged that he has had a mixed season, but he agrees with the selectors’ belief that he can succeed in Australian conditions. The Hampshire batsman, who played seven Tests in 2016 but has not been selected since was surprised to find himself in the England squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Despite averaging just 19.27, Vince was chosen because his game is better suited to Australian conditions compared to other candidates for the middle-order slots.
Vince admitted that he hadn’t considered the possibility of being selected until he read a few articles in the papers. He felt that his own red-ball form this season had been inconsistent, although he played a lot of cricket in challenging conditions in April and September. However, he received a call from James Whitaker on Tuesday night, which led to a busy few hours on the phone as his winter plans were rearranged.
Vince agreed with the selectors’ assessment that his batting style is well-suited to fast and bouncy Australian pitches. He has found success in Australia in the past and more recently on a Lions tour in South Africa. He believes that playing with a different ball in different conditions, with more pace but less natural movement, suits his game. The wickets in Australia are truer, and the Kookaburra ball doesn’t do as much or for as long. Despite the different challenges, Vince enjoys batting in those conditions.
Reflecting on his first taste of Test cricket, Vince admitted that it was frustrating not being able to convert his starts into big scores. He believes that if he had managed to do so, it would have changed people’s opinions of him. However, he never doubted his ability to play at the highest level and remained determined to work hard and earn another opportunity.
Overall, Vince is happy to be included in the England squad for the tour of Australia and is confident that his game is well-suited to the conditions there. He is eager to make the most of this opportunity and prove himself on the international stage.
