Even as a teenager, England debutant James Vince was destined to achieve big things – I doubt he’ll be fazed by his Test bow
I first saw James Vince when he was about 17 years old and it was immediately apparent that he was a very talented kid. Even at such a young age he was facing bowlers of 85mph plus and he always seemed to have so much time.
When someone has that skill and elegance – comparisons have been made to Michael Vaughan – you just know they are cut out for the top level, so irrespective of him still being a teenager at the time there was a sense he was going to achieve big things.
Vince has done really well at my former county Hampshire, perhaps more so in limited-overs cricket, and has skippered England Lions. Now aged 25, he is set to make his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Leeds on Thursday.
He has chalked up a reasonable amount of runs in the opening rounds of the County Championship, including a century at Headingley against Yorkshire, and is the type of person to flourish on the big stage.
I recall my Test debut against India at Lord’s in 2007. It was a bit rushed as I came into the squad on the back of a couple of injuries. I was told the night before that I was playing and went to bed fairly nervous but woke with a lot of excitement.
I’d had a taste of international cricket in the one-day arena, and in that sense there are similarities with James, who was man of the series during England’s T20 tussles against Pakistan in November, and also featured at the World Twenty20 in March.
Those experiences will stand him in good stead and he isn’t the sort of person to be fazed. Coming in down the order, probably at No5, is a good place to bat and I look forward to seeing how he gets on.
In terms of the series itself, on paper Alastair Cook’s side should beat Sri Lanka, who have only won two of their last seven Test series. They cannot, however, be underestimated.
Last time they were over here Sri Lanka posted a series victory after a 100-run victory at Headingley, which was won with a ball to spare, following an opening draw at Lord’s.
But that said, England have come a long way in the past 12 months and, to a certain extent, dominated their winter tour of South Africa and played some really good cricket. I expect them to win.
Furthermore, there is no reason why England cannot win every Test match this summer – Pakistan tour after Sri Lanka. England have most bases covered, although the spin department might come into focus later in the summer on drier pitches.
It will be very difficult, in alien conditions, for Sri Lanka and Pakistan to take 20 wickets in a match.