England batsman James Vince has done all he can to prepare for the conditions that will await him at the World Twenty20 in India following a productive winter in the United Arab Emirates.
The Hampshire skipper made the journey from the Middle East to link up with Trevor Bayliss’ squad in South Africa for the two T20 internationals against the Proteas this week.
Vince starred in England’s T20 series whitewash of Pakistan before Christmas, finishing the top run-scorer over the three matches, has captained the Lions and also enjoyed a spell at the Pakistan Super League.
The top-order batsman featured seven times in nine days for Karachi Kings and, having experienced a winter of playing in conditions similar to what he is set to face in the sub-continent next month, has been happy with his preparation.
“It was a pretty good competition and I played quite a bit of cricket in a short space of time so it was good preparation for what’s to come in India,” Vince said.
“It was good to play as an overseas player and experience different people in the dressing room, that sort of thing.”
England face a strong South Africa A side at Boland Park in Paarl tomorrow ahead of the two Twenty20s on Friday and Sunday.
The two-match series will provide England with the opportunity to make their final preparations before they touch down in India and Vince believes generating momentum is vital.
“The boys played pretty good cricket through that one-day series – I didn’t get to see all of it – and it’s a side here capable of beating any side in the world so to get some momentum against a side like South Africa ahead of the T20s is very important,” he said.
Vince impressed on his first tour as an England player, winning the player-of-the-series award after hitting 125 runs at an average of 41.
He is hoping his chances at international level will not just be limited to 20-over cricket.
Your England T20 squad for the two matches against @OfficialCSA, with magnificent Table Mountain in the background. pic.twitter.com/jgsp0qfG6B
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 16, 2016
“I want to play all formats for England ideally,” the 24-year-old said. “My way in’s been through T20 but I’d like to progress to the one-day and Test sides.”
Vince is one of three Hampshire players in England’s World T20 squad, along with Reece Topley and Liam Dawson, who was the surprise inclusion after excelling for the Lions in the UAE.
Vince knows Dawson well, the pair having played club cricket for Chippenham as teenagers, and has backed him to make an impact on the world stage.
“He used to be more of a batting all-rounder but he got more opportunity with the ball last summer when (Danny) Briggsy got left out of the side and he’s taken it in his stride,” Vince said.
“The more he bowled the better he became and in the Lions series against Pakistan he bowled really well so he’s improving all the time and I think he’s bowling really well at the moment.
“He can definitely make an impact. If he gets an opportunity he’s good enough to take it. Obviously Mo and Rash are bowling very well and will get the first crack but if conditions dictate and he gets a game or one of those gets injured I’m sure he’d do very well if he came in.”
Source: ECB