James Vince walks away from first-class cricket to take up high-paying PSL deal

England batter James Vince has decided to quit first-class cricket for 2025 in order to make himself available for Pakistan Super League 2025. The decision has come as a shock to Hampshire Cricket and its supporters as Vince is one of their highly experienced players.

Vince has been an integral part of Hampshire's team across formats for years now. He is also the captain of the team but has now decided to give up on the red-ball format. However, he will continue to play white-ball cricket for Hampshire.

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James Vince withdraws from first-class cricket to play PSL

According to ECB's new policy, the board will only grant NOCs to feature in the overseas leagues to the white-ball specialists for tournaments that take place during the English summer when the County championship is played, apart from the IPL, which is an exception.

The policy had left Vince to withdraw from first-class cricket or give up his PSL contract. The 33-year-old England batter chose the former after considering about his future and the family.

In a statement, James Vince thanked Hampshire Cricket but maintained that he still has the hunger to perform for them in T20 cricket. He claimed his family and future as the biggest reasons to give up on the county championship.

Notably, Vince has relocated his family to Dubai after attacks on his house last year and Hampshire has cited this as one of the main reasons for him getting a new white-ball-only deal for 2025.

"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 stated.

"I also need to understand what is best for my family, and combine that with the stage of my career I am at. I am so grateful to everyone at Utilita Bowl for supporting me last year through a really tough time, and for allowing me to make this next step," he added.

James Vince's withdrawal doesn't mean that he has completely retired from first-class cricket. He can be back in England's domestic red-ball circuit later. However, the chances of him making it into England's Test team are quite low.

Giles White responds to James Vince's decision

Hampshire's director of cricket Giles White put out a statement in support of James Vince and asked the supporters to understand his situation. He looks forward to Vince playing in the Vitality Blast.

"James (Vince) 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 stated.

"We recognise that this announcement will be tinged with disappointment for many fans but hope everyone will join us in celebrating what he has given to our club over many years and supporting him as he fulfils his commitment to continue leading the Hawks in the 2025 Vitality Blast," he added.

James Vince's PSL numbers

James Vince was retained by Karachi Kings before the PSL 2025 draft on January 13. He is likely to bat in the top order for them. Vince has played 45 matches in PSL so far and scored 1166 runs at an average of 27.76 and a strike rate of 136.69 with four fifties.

Currently, he is representing Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League 2024-25 where he has scored 228 runs in six matches at an average of 45.60 and a strike rate of 139.02. He has struck one hundred and one fifty this season so far.