Has Ed Smith, finally given up on James Vince?

The 29-year-old James Vince hails from Hampshire and has had 48 innings in international cricket. None of those have been hundreds and only 5 of those were fifties.

A stroke maker and a classic batsman, with the timing ability many batsmen dream of, quite elegant and quite stylish. Vince has not given us a testament to his abilities in international cricket.

With only 3 test fifties in 22 innings, and a fifty in ODIs and T20Is in 14 and 12 innings. Is James Vince’s international dream over? Is it finally time statistics take precedence over elegance?

James Vince and his meteoric rise across all formats:

James Vince of England bats during game one of the Twenty20 International series between New Zealand and England at Hagley Oval on November 01 2019... — CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 01: James Vince of England bats during game one of the Twenty20 International series between New Zealand and England at Hagley Oval on November 01, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

The rise of James Vince is pretty well documented across the cricket fraternity. With a Hampshire debut in 2009. He averaged over 50 in the limited over games and then went on to impress for England in the Under-19 World Cup.

First recognised as an extraordinary talent by former England coach, Duncan Fletcher. The coach worked with Vince at Hampshire academy and said he was reminiscent of former England captain Michael Vaughan.

He finally became a regular in the Hampshire XI in 2010 and later that year in August he proved why with a brilliant 180 against a Yorkshire attack composed of Tim Bresnan, Adil Rashid, and Ajmal Shahzad at Scarborough.

Vince went past 1000 career runs for Hampshire as a teenager, the second-youngest player in the country to do so.

James Vince and his consistent returns across all formats:

James Vince of Hampshire leaves the field after being dismissed for 190 during the Royal London One Day Cup match between Hampshire and... — SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: James Vince of Hampshire leaves the field after being dismissed for 190 during the Royal London One Day Cup match between Hampshire and Gloucestershire at The Ageas Bowl on April 26, 2019 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Consistent returns across all formats soon took precedence in his career. In 2012 he averaged 55.50 as Hampshire won the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition.

In 2013 he finally racked up over a 1000 championship runs for the first time in First-Class cricket. This finally prompted an opportunity for him to play for England A against Sri Lanka A. And a tour of South Africa with the England Lions the following season.

Vince had a great season in 2014 after being named vice-captain. He made a mighty 1525 runs – the highest tally in the country – at 61.00 as Hampshire won Division Two of the County Championship and also made a superb 93 from just 51 balls to steer his side to victory in a T20 quarter-final at Notts.

He became the captain of Hampshire at a tender age of 24 across all formats as he took over from Jimmy Adams.

Also read: The Best Indian Fast Bowlers

The faltering international career

James Vince of England is bowled by Jason Behrendorff of Australia during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between England and... — LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 25: James Vince of England is bowled by Jason Behrendorff of Australia during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between England and Australia at Lords on June 25, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The England call came in 2016 as he was called up to play against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In seven Tests, against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, he averaged 19.27 without a half-century and was repeatedly fallible on the drive outside off stump. Only the single championship hundred that season did nothing to help him.

Vince did manage an ODI half-century against Sri Lanka, being his only ODI fifty to date, and showed more promise in T20Is. Although, he only averaged 33 in the 2017 county championship season. He found himself on the touring party to Australia for the Ashes, he started well with an 83 at Brisbane. But, he only managed one other fifty in the next eight innings.

Although, he made 76 in a drawn Test at the Hagley Oval. New selector Ed Smith dropped him despite not having replacement options. In his first game back in Hampshire colours, he made 201 and topped the Hampshire averages.

Only Hampshire remaining for James Vince?

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JULY 30: James Vince of England bats during the First One Day International between England and Ireland in the Royal London Series at The Ageas Bowl on July 30, 2020 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Adam Davy/Pool via Getty Images)

His 50-over cricket includes a sublime 171 against Yorkshire. But his form declined and he ended the season poorly with no score above 30 in his last nine innings. Although he was part of the world cup winning squad, James Vince had no real contributions, even in the matches he played. A stylish player. However, runs and consistency rule above style.

With no score above 25 in the recent three-match ODI series against Ireland, could it be the final nail in the coffin of James Vince’s career?

Main Image Credit:
Embed from Getty Images