By Paul Newman for the Daily Mail
Published: 19:24 BST, 10 May 2019 | Updated: 19:51 BST, 10 May 2019
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James Vince displayed timing commensurate with a man who possesses one of the sweetest cover drives in cricket when he made 190 for Hampshire the day it emerged Alex Hales had failed a drugs test. Now he wants to perfectly time his England return.
Vince looks certain to be the beneficiary of Hales' stupidity by replacing him in England's final World Cup squad on May 21 and is also a strong contender to bat at the top of the order in the Ashes later this summer.
It is a golden opportunity for a gifted cricketer who has failed to do justice to his rich talent in 13 Test and eight one-day international appearances but who now finds himself, at 28, perfectly placed to finally establish himself.
James Vince looks certain to replace Alex Hales in England's final World Cup squad
It is a golden opportunity for a gifted cricketer who has failed to do justice to his rich talent
'Yes, that was pretty good timing,' said Vince on Friday as he contemplated the impact of the 190 against Gloucestershire that confirmed him as the obvious replacement for Hales, initially in England's squad for the five-match series against Pakistan.
'If Alex was here now I don't think I would be but I don't want to say too much about his situation,' added Vince on his home ground of the Ageas Bowl ahead of Saturday's second one-day international. 'What it has done is give me the chance to push my case.'
Vince has begun what must surely be his best and last opportunity with England as back-up opener and looks set to miss out here, with Jason Roy back in training after hamstring and back injuries and set to resume his partnership with Jonny
