The Ashes 2017-18: Out Of Form James Vince Set To Get Another Chance

Published - 07 Jan 2018, 09:20 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:47 PM

Under-fire James Vince is more than likely to get one last chance to save his England career during the upcoming tour of New Zealand after he failed to deliver once again in the second innings of the ongoing final Ashes Test.

The right-handed batsman had started the Ashes on a strong note, scoring 83 in the first innings of Brisbane Test. However, he could manage only one fifty in the next seven innings with 18 being his latest failure. What is even more worrying is the way he has been dismissed on tour. His dismissal in the ongoing Test in Sydney was the sixth time in nine innings this series; he was caught behind the wicket.

Vince could score only 18 in his last innings of the ongoing Ashes (Credits: Getty)

Vince’s latest failure has also backfired England’s gamble. The 26-year old was a surprise inclusion in the side. In 12 Tests, Vince is yet to score a century, having crossed the 50-run mark only twice and averages only 22.83. But while speculations are high that he might get dropped for the New Zealand tour but England’s assistant coach Paul Farbrace has hinted the batsman is set to get another chance.

Speaking after the fourth day’s play, Farbrace admitted that Vince needs to deliver with the bat before hinting that the batsman’s promising knocks in the series might hand him an extended rope with the national side.

“There’s no doubt James Vince needs to score more runs if he’s going to play international cricket for England,” said Farbrace. “He knows that. Of course 25 isn’t an average any top-order batsman wants but he’s shown some glimpses and you think ‘this could be the innings’.

“But there comes a time when ‘this could be the innings’ has to stop and it’s got to be hundreds. The blunt answer is he knows he has to score the runs if he is to have a long career with England in Test cricket,” he added.

England would announce the squad for the two Tests in New Zealand on Wednesday. Meanwhile, England finished day four on 93 for 4, still needing 210 runs to avoid an innings defeat.