Vince vindicates selectors' gutsy call

When James Vince was recalled for this tour of Australia after a year away from Test cricket it was a huge gamble by England’s selectors. However, the Hampshire batsman’s opening contribution in this Magellan Ashes series suggests it could pay off spectacularly.

Comparisons with Michael Vaughan have followed Vince throughout his career. Up until now, though, they have looked rather optimistic.

Vaughan’s breakthrough tour, in Australia in 2002-03, set up his international career, ending the series with 633 runs and producing one ray of hope amid the wreckage of England’s 4-1 Ashes hammering.

Yet after the way he batted on the first day of this opening Test at the Gabba, Vince looks like he could now have a series to remember himself in the same No.3 position as Vaughan. 

His innings of 83 contained 12 boundaries, most of which were dreamy cover drives timed to perfection. 

Indeed, he looked destined for a maiden Test hundred before a brilliant run-out from Nathan Lyon ended his stylish stay at the crease early in the final session.

Vince was by no means perfect, dropped on 68 by recalled Australia wicketkeeper Tim Paine and getting bogged down in a tricky period before tea when, according to CricViz, he edged or missed 35 per cent of his shots in the five overs leading into that interval.

Still, from where Vince was at the end of the northern summer, this was an innings to cherish from an English perspective.

One man who would have cherished it more than most is James Whitaker, England’s chairman of selectors, whose job is likely to be on the line if Joe Root’s team have a poor Ashes series.

Vince was the biggest surprise when England announced their Ashes squad in late September given he followed up his horrendous first stint in Test cricket in 2016 with a mediocre English county season this year.

In terms of easy starts to life as a Test cricketer, things really don’t get much better than seven home Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Yet Vince scored just 212 runs at an average of 19.27 in those matches. His top score was 42.

To say he blew his big opportunity is an understatement. 

However, he was recalled after a 2017 northern summer that saw Paul Collingwood, England’s fielding coach who still plays for Durham at the age of 42, and Jake Ball, the fast bowler who will bat at No.11 in this Test, average more than Vince’s 32.95 in the County Championship.

His selection for this tour really was a punt by Whitaker and his selection panel, who believed his style of play and technique would suit Australian conditions.

That is code for saying he is good on flat pitches where any movement of the ball is minimal compared to England.

But the criticism that followed his recall, plus the indignity of being branded a "no-name player" on his arrival in Australia, proved an inspiration for Vince. 

"If I could have my first go at Test cricket again, I would, but that’s in the past now," he said. "I’ve been focused on capitalising on this opportunity and nailing a place in the team.

"I didn’t take too much notice of the pre-match comments. I’ve had stuff after I got called up. I guess it gives you more inspiration to prove people wrong."

Vince had, though, appeared vulnerable during England’s three tour games that preceded this series, following up an encouraging 82 in his first innings in Perth with scores of 33, 29 and 26 in the next two matches.

He did actually look good during all of those innings. Yet he has the maddening habit of losing focus and getting out to a loose shot when seemingly well set.

He has an almost complete game as a batsman. However, it is his mental frailty – a lack of focus and dogged determination not to give his wicket away – that has long been a frustration. Once he feels ‘in’ he appears to relax and lose discipline.

Encouragingly, though, it appears the high stakes of an Ashes series have concentrated Vince’s mind and, bar for one tough spell in the afternoon session, he managed to maintain focus and looked in the zone.

"I felt reasonably calm considering the occasion," he said. "I tried to enjoy it and maintain focus. I didn’t want it to get on top of me and I thought I got the balance right."

That’s great news for England, who desperately need someone to step up and make the No.3 position his own if they are to stand a chance of retaining the Ashes. 

If Vince can do that over the coming weeks, Whitaker will deserve credit for making such a ballsy call when the evidence suggested it was in fact foolhardy.

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21