Adams Backs Vince to earn England recall and then show his real ability

Richard Edwards discovers the new role as Hampshire captain could help an England discard to an international return.

Jimmy Adams is backing JamesVince to grab his second chance in 2017, if England hand him a recall after overlooking him for the tours of Bangladesh and India.

The new Hampshire captain was an ever-present for England last summer, playing all seven Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

A season that began full of promise, however, ended in disappointment at the Oval as Vince made just 0 and 1 in a heavy 10-wicket defeat for Alastair Cook’s side. Vince’s tally of 212 runs, scored at an average of just 19, was hardly the return that either him, or England, were after and led to him being left out of this winter’s Test touring parties.

With a winter’s break behind him, Vince will hope to hit the ground running in Division One following their last-minute reprieve as a result of Durham’s relegation.

And his predecessor as captain believes that Vince is perfectly placed to make the most of any opportunities that come his way after having his technique picked apart at the highest level – both on the pitch and in the commentary box.

“I’m hoping a quieter winter will do him the power of good,” says Adams. “I think that another opportunity will come, it won’t just happen but if he returns to the sort of form that you hope and expect then that second chance will be there.

“You’ve seen it with players in the past, second time round things come good. I just think there’s elements to stepping up a level that are different to first-class cricket, things that you haven’t come across before.