James Vince’s fierce 190 off 154 balls against Gloucestershire in this afternoon’s Royal London One-Day Cup match put him in favour of an emergency recall as an opener from the ECB ahead of this summer’s Cricket World Cup.
Falling just 10 runs off a double hundred he was the last
man out in Hampshire’s 50 overs with an innings including 15 fours and five maximums
for his highest List A score at an average of 41.08.
Hampshire who were 44-2 slumped to 65-4 before Vince supported
by Liam Dawson (73) steadied the innings with Chris Liddle (10-0-66-4) doing
the damage with the ball for Gloucestershire.
Together Vince and Dawson put on 186 for the fifth wicket partnership before Dawson was caught by Benny Howell off the bowling of Liddle.
Vince’s resurgence with the bat will not go unnoticed,
having scored two half-centuries recently against Glamorgan and Kent for
Hampshire, England will be aware of his experience opening the ODIs if further
injuries to the 15 man squad occur.
Fears over fitness and availability currently plague the
England camp with Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales on leave due to personal
circumstances and Jason Roy rested after back spasms by Surrey.
Despite not being in the initial World Cup squad, Kent confirmed
Sam Billings will now need surgery, is ruled out for five to six months due to
a dislocated shoulder sustained in the game against Gloucestershire on Thursday.
Captain Eoin Morgan was also absent for Middlesex against Surrey
with sore shins.
With both Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow rested England go into next Friday’s ODI in Ireland without a wicket-keeper and could result in a call up for either Joe Clarke, Ben Duckett or Ben Foakes.
England begin their World Cup bid against South Africa on 30 May at the Kia Oval.
JOTI KAUR
