NEW DELHI: England batter James Vince has made a significant decision to prioritise his participation in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) over First-Class cricket.
This move defies the England and Wales Cricket Board‘s (ECB) stance on not granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its cricketers for the PSL due to a clash with the early rounds of the County Championship.
The ECB’s decision, made in November 2024, aimed to prevent all-format players from participating in the PSL, which is scheduled for April-May this season.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
However, Vince, who has represented England in 13 Tests and was expected to lead Hampshire in the County Championship, has chosen to play for the Karachi Kings in the PSL after being retained by the franchise ahead of the draft.
In a statement, Vince expressed his love for Hampshire, where he has spent 16 years, and his desire to maintain his best form to continue delivering for the county in T20 cricket and potentially further their success in the Blast competition.
“I love Hampshire. It’s been my club and home for 16 years, so I want to be able to maintain my best to keep delivering for Hampshire in T20 cricket, and hopefully even further our success in the competition [the Blast],” Vince said in a statement. “I also need to understand what is best for my family, and combine that with the stage of my career I am at.”
The 33-year-old, who has been leading Hampshire since 2015, is currently playing for the Gulf Giants in the ILT20 tournament in the UAE.
Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket, respected Vince’s decision, stating, “James has been at the heart of the club for the best part of 20 years, showing absolute commitment on and off the field as the team’s leading batter and captain.”
White acknowledged that the announcement might disappoint some fans but hoped everyone would celebrate Vince’s contributions to the club over many years.
In his First-Class career spanning 216 matches, Vince has scored 13,340 runs at an impressive average of 40, including 30 centuries, showcasing his prowess as a batter.
Leave feedback about this