STEEPLE Ashton cricketer James Vince completed his passing-out for England at Sandhurst and has also made a fine start to his Twenty20 tour of duty in the desert.

Former Warminster and Chippenham player Vince began his international career with two important innings from number three as Eoin Morgan's tourists won back-to-back matches at the Dubai International Stadium to wrap up the series against Pakistan.

The 24-year-old Hampshire captain will remain, after today's final match of England's two-month stay in the United Arab Emirates, to captain the Lions against Pakistan A - having impressed as leadership material already in a pre-tour trip to the Royal Military Academy.

There, Vince and several other rising stars who will play under him for the Lions, were assigned tasks to test their mettle.

He relates one exercise in which a hostage had to be rescued - and was successfully - and a series of interrogations on stage from military personnel.

Vince appeared to have acquitted himself well at Sandhurst, and impressed too out in the middle in Dubai with innings of 41 and 38 as England took an unassailable 2-0 lead.

He admits, though, he found it a challenge on and off the field.

Recalling the leadership course, he said: "It was a bit uncomfortable at times, but I think everyone enjoyed it and got something out of it.

"I was up on the stage and got grilled about something I wasn't really too sure about - so it was quite tough."

The prospective Lions were put under pressure mentally and physically by their hosts.

"We had a few activities to do, a bit of problem-solving out in the woods - and had to rescue a hostage at one point.

"He was all right in the end."

The England and Wales Cricket Board's intention is to help develop young players' lives as well as their sporting skills.

Back on the pitch, Vince had an immediate examination of his resilience when he was run out for two in England's warm-up match against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi six days ago.

He had been told he would have a chance to prove himself once the series got under way, but could have done with some confidence-boosting runs first to put his mind at rest before the opener.

"It wasn't an ideal start, but thankfully I got an opportunity in the main games... and it's been nice to make some contributions," he added.

"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."

On debut, he shared an important stand of 76 with his captain to put England back on course after they had stumbled to 19 for three - an encouraging response to Morgan and coach Trevor Bayliss' decision to test him under pressure, with a view to being picked in the squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in India in March.

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

"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."

After what Vince describes as a "steady start", he will not be complaining if England give him the chance to bat in the position to which he is most recently accustomed for his county - opening the innings.

Selection has been fluid throughout the series and no one is guaranteed to play as England try to make it 3-0 in Sharjah - but resting one of Alex Hales or Jason Roy to accommodate Vince at the top is one option.

Asked his preference, he said: "Anywhere in the top three.

"I used to bat number three when I went into the Hampshire side, so it's something I'm used to doing.

"In recent years I've been opening, but I'm just grateful to be playing."