JAMES Vince has set his sights on playing for England in all formats after his successful debut T20 series.

The Hampshire captain has enjoyed the best start to a T20 England career since Marcus Trescothick, who retired from international cricket soon after making 41, 72 and 53 in his only T20 internationals a decade ago.

Vince, who was awarded Player of the Series after making 41, 38 and 46 as England beat Pakistan 3-0 in the UAE, is at the beginning of what will surely be a memorable international career in all formats.

The 24-year-old said: “It is nice to contribute. I think I can play better than what I have done but it has been nice to contribute and win the series 3-0 is a great achievement.

“Not many sides come here and win a series. And to win 3-0 is a great effort from everyone.”

Vince, who made his official England bow in the rained-off one-day international in Ireland last May, said: "I was included in the squad last summer, it's nice to come out here and get an opportunity - (and) I'm enjoying every minute of it.

"I was nervous walking out that first game, in front of a full stadium, but I settled down after a couple of balls and eased into it nicely.

"They said at the start I'd get an opportunity to show what I can do.

"I'm thankful for that ... leaving Jos (Buttler) and Rooty (Joe Root) out in the first game to give me and (Sam) Billings a go was nice to see, and Sam's done really well as well."

 

 

Vince’s aggregate of 125 at 41 was comfortably more than any other player with Shoaib Malik (101) and Billings (71).

But after his run-a-ball 46 in the dramatic finale, a mature knock on a difficult wicket featuring a stand of 60 from 40 balls with Chris Woakes, Vince added: “I struggled a bit to time it.

“It was a fairly tough wicket but the way Woakesy played at the end there to get us to a good score was magnificent.”

England only have two more T20 matches before the World T20 in India in March, in South Africa in February.

But Vince will get more experience in the shortest format when he captains England Lions in a five-match series against Pakistan A, which begins on Monday after a warm-up on Friday.

“We have five proper matches, so that will be another tough series but another opportunity to spend some time in the middle,” said Vince, who is also the subject of interest from Big Bash outfit Adelaide Strikers ahead of the last big tournament before the World T20.

“That (World T20) is a big event to look forward to," he added. "Hopefully I can get some more runs under my belt in the Lions matches and see where it takes me.

"I'd love to play all formats. My first chance has come in Twenty20. (But) I hope I can push on, find my way into the 50-over side - and the Test side as well."