JAMES Vince could play alongside Kyle Abbott in South Africa this winter.

Hampshire coach Dale Benkenstein, an assistant coach at the Sunfoil Dolphins, wants the county’s star batsman to play as an overseas player in Natal.

Hampshire’s Batsman of the Year travels to Sri Lanka with the England Performance Programme next month, alongside the likes of Sam Billings, Alex Lees, Adam Lyth and Jason Roy.

And he is likely to be included in the England Lions squad that will play two four-day Test matches and five 50-over matches against South Africa A in January and February.

A brief stint with Natal in between would be good preparation for a tour that could see Vince take a step closer to a full international call-up.