England batsman James Vince has decided to quit first-class cricket for 2025 to be available for Pakistan Super League 2025. The decision came as a shock to Hampshire Cricket and its supporters as Vince is one of their experienced players.
Vince has been an integral part of the Hampshire team in all formats for years. He is also the captain of the team but has now decided to ditch the red ball format. However, he will continue to play white-ball cricket for Hampshire.
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James Vince retires from first-class cricket to play PSL
Under the new ECB policy, the board will grant NOCs to appear in overseas leagues only to white-ball specialists for tournaments that take place in the English summer when the county championship is played, apart from the IPL, which is an exception.
Politics had left Vince to retire from first-class cricket or opt out of his PSL contract. The England batsman, 33, chose the former after thinking about his future and his family.
In a statement, James Vince thanked Hampshire Cricket but claimed he still has the appetite to play for them in T20 cricket. He claimed his family and future as the biggest reasons for giving up the county championship.
Notably, Vince moved his family to Dubai after the attacks on his home last year, and Hampshire cited this as one of the main reasons he secured a new white-ball-only deal for 2025.
“I love Hampshire. It's been my club and my home for 16 years so I want to be able to maintain as much as I can to continue to deliver for Hampshire in T20 cricket and hopefully increase our success in the competition (The Blast),” Vince stated.
“I also have to understand what's best for my family and balance that with the career stage I'm at. I am so grateful to everyone at the Utilita Bowl for supporting me last year during a very difficult time and for allowing me to take this next step,” he added.
James Vince's retirement does not mean that he has completely retired from first-class cricket. He may return to England's domestic red ball circuit later. However, the chances of him making it to England's Test squad are quite slim.
Giles White responds to James Vince's decision
Hampshire director of cricket Giles White issued a statement in support of James Vince and asked supporters to understand his plight. He is looking forward to Vince playing in Vitality Blast.
“James (Vince) has been at the heart of the club for the better part of 20 years, showing absolute commitment on and off the field as the team's main batsman and captain,” White said.
“We recognize that this announcement will be tinged with disappointment for many fans, but we hope that everyone will join us in celebrating what he has given our club over many years and support him as he fulfills his commitment to continue to lead the Hawks in the 2025 Vitality Blast.” he added.
James Vince's PSL numbers
James Vince was retained by Karachi Kings ahead of PSL 2025 draft on 13th January. He is likely to bat primarily for them. Vince has played 45 matches in the PSL so far and has scored 1166 runs at an average of 27.76 and a strike rate of 136.69 with four fifties.
He currently represents the Sydney Sixers in the 2024-25 Big Bash League where he has scored 228 runs in six matches at an average of 45.60 and a strike rate of 139.02. He has hit a hundred and fifty this season so far.