England’s James Vince said yesterday he was determined to enjoy his Test debut come what may at Headingley this week.
The Hampshire batsman is in line to fill the middle-order vacancy created by the shock retirement of James Taylor with a heart condition last month, when the first of a three-Test series against Sri Lanka starts at Yorkshire’s headquarters in Leeds, northern England, tomorrow.
Vince, 25, has been compared to former England captain Michael Vaughan because of his batting style and there is also the view that he too will thrive in international cricket despite a solid rather than spectacular county record.
Now Vince, who has already played limited overs cricket for England, is looking forward to seeing if he can make the step up to Test cricket.
“I hope so, I’ll soon find out,” he told Sky Sports News at Headingley yesterday.
“I just want to try to enjoy every second and do well, and just to be here and a part of this team is very exciting.
“I had dinner last (Monday) night (with the team) and that’s sort of when it sank in, really.
It’s great to be here and I can’t wait to get going now.
“Hopefully I get the chance to play on Thursday and if I do get the chance to play it’ll be a very proud moment.”
Headingley holds happy memories for Vince as it was only last month that the Hampshire captain scored a hundred there against county champions Yorkshire.
“Coming here with some runs under my belt this season should give me some confidence going into the game on Thursday,” he said.