Vince proves pundits right with tour call-up (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Vince proves pundits right with tour call-up

CHIPPENHAM cricketer James Vince was presented with his West of England cap by Ashes hero Ian Bell after being selected for the squad to tour the West Indies next April.

The 15-year-old from Common Hill, Steeple Ashton, was tipped by the Gazette as a youngster with a bright future in the game at the start of the season and he has met every challenge before him.

His academy director at Hampshire, Tony Middleton, also predicted big things from the youngster this year and has not been let down.

Vince has had a successful season captaining the Wiltshire U14s side and also played in all the Wiltshire U15s games.

He made his maiden century for the U15s when he scored 141 against Berkshire on July 14 and then scored 126 against the Isle of Wight on August 1.

At club level Vince has had a good season with Chippenham Cricket Club playing regularly for Chippenham Seconds, where he scored 269 runs at an average of 24.45, as well as for the club's successful U15s side who won the Wiltshire League and also the Portman Cup, a twenty20 competition.

Vince, who used to be part of Reading Football Club's Youth Academy, said he was pleased with his form this year.

"I was not sure if I was going to be selected or not but I was happy when I was," he said.

"I have never had a chance to play abroad before so it will be a new and exciting experience.

"I have not really thought about doing it before and have just concentrated on playing well for my teams and it has paid off."

Vince now has to raise £1,600 to go on the trip of a lifetime.

"We are seeing if the council can help or the county cricket association," said the teenager.

"I am going to ask my school and Chippenham Cricket Club as I really want to go on the trip."

For the second successive year Vince was selected for the West of England regional squad and went to the ECB/ESCA Lord's Taverners Festival held at Loughborough University at the end of August where he was presented with his West of England cap by England cricketer Bell.

Unfortunately little cricket was played due to poor weather.

However, as a result of the bad weather both the England and Australia teams came to use the indoor facility at Loughborough prior to their Test match at Trent Bridge, giving Vince and his colleagues the chance to see some of the England players practise, including Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.

Vince started playing cricket for Erlestoke's U13s at nine and progressed to the Witshire U11s at ten, scoring 43 on his debut.

He was selected for West of England trials in 2003 and was awarded his West of England Cap last summer before learning of his trip to the sun this week.

If you would like to sponsor Vince please call (01380) 871929.

Chippenham Cricket Club are holding their sports quiz on Friday, September 30.

The entry fee is £20 per team with a maximum of six players per team. Contact the club for more details.