England’s top-order batter James Vince has decided to forgo this year’s County Championship to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 10).
The 33-year-old’s decision comes in response to the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) newly implemented No-Objection Certificate (NOC) policy, which restricts players from participating in overseas leagues during the English summer, except the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Vince, who was retained by former PSL franchise Karachi Kings in the diamond category, will now focus on his commitments in the T20 format. While he will continue to lead Hampshire’s T20 side in the Vitality Blast, he has stepped down as the club’s captain after a nine-year tenure and will not participate in the County Championship this summer.
In a statement, Vince expressed his gratitude to Hampshire, where he has spent 16 years of his career, and explained his decision to prioritize T20 cricket and his family at this stage of his career.
“I love Hampshire. It’s been my club and home for 16 years, so I want to be able to maintain my best to keep delivering for Hampshire in T20 cricket, and hopefully even further our success in the competition [the Blast]. I also need to understand what is best for my family, and combine that with the stage of my career I am at,” Vince said.
He also acknowledged the support he received from the club during a challenging period last year, adding, “I am so grateful to everyone at Utilita Bowl for supporting me last year through a really tough time, and for allowing me to make this next step.”
The report also suggests that another English batter, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who was picked by Peshawar Zalmi in the platinum category during the PSL 10 player draft earlier this week, may also prioritize the PSL over domestic commitments.
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