- Ex-England star gives up his county captaincy after ten years in the role
- The decision will allow him to cash in on more franchise opportunities
James Vince has renegotiated terms on his Hampshire contract and will not therefore feature in this year’s County Championship.
Instead, Vince, 33, will concentrate on playing white-ball cricket for the Hawks after relinquishing the first-class element of his county deal to remain on the books with Karachi Kings at the Pakistan Super League.
The change in his status was triggered by last November’s ruling by the ECB that multi-format cricketers will no longer be granted No Objection Certificates for participation in tournaments that run concurrently with the English domestic season.
Vince, who is stepping down as club captain at the Utilita Bowl but will continue to front the Hawks’ bid to win a fourth Vitality Blast title in 2025, said: ‘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.
‘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.’
James Vince (left) was part of England’s 2019 World Cup triumph on home soil and he enjoys the moment here alongside team-mates Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali
Vince also played 13 Test matches with his top score of 83 coming on the 2017-18 Ashes tour
Vince is the Blast’s all-time leading run scorer and has played for a number of franchises
Away from the field, Vince has re-located his family to Dubai following a raft of attacks on his home.
With a 55-cap England career now behind him, the top-order batter is maximising his time on the franchise circuit, having recently become only the second overseas player behind Alex Hales to make 2,000 runs in Australia’s Big Bash League. He is one of six Englishmen heading to the PSL this April.
Of Vince, who will be out of contract at the end of the summer, Hampshire’s director of cricket Giles White said: ‘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.
‘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 over many years and supporting him as he fulfils his commitment to continue leading the Hawks in the Blast.’
Tom Kohler-Cadmore, of Somerset, is also in the process of reworking his deal to allow him to take up his £140,000 PSL contract.
