Sydney Sixers rope in James Vince for upcoming season of Big Bash League

August 31(Cricket news): James Vince began his Sydney Sixers career as a quiet achiever called in as an international replacement but returns to the club for KFC BBL11 as a bona fide Big Bash superstar.

Although he has received several attractive offers from rival franchises, Vince put pen to paper for his fourth campaign with the men in Magenta off the back of his late season heroics last summer that played a huge part in lifting the Sixers to back to back BBL titles.

The 30-year-old also has played for England in all three formats of the game, scoring an unbeaten 98 off 53 balls in the grand final qualifier against the Perth Scorchers at Manuka Oval before pounding 95 from 60 against the Scorchers at a heaving SCG to set up victory in the final.

After that BBL final, Vince's Pakistan Super League team won the interrupted PSL season title, he was called back to the England white ball team for ODI and T20I duties and earlier this month led the Southern Brave to the inaugural “The Hundred” title in the UK.

The international batsman has joined with the likes of fellow English star Tom Curran and West Indian icon Carlos Brathwaite on the Sixers’ list with just one player left to fill the club’s 18-player BBL11 roster.

Vince’s match winning knock and an unbelievable diving catch in the second innings got him Player of the Match honours in the final and a place in Sixers’ folklore, a place he rightfully but humbly sits.

“I don’t play for the personal accolades or awards, I play to be part of a winning team,” Vince said.

“What the Sixers have built on and off the field over the last few years is something really special and something I am proud to be part of. They are just a great bunch of lads and it’s everyone, players, coaches, support staff, the supporters.”

“Shippy (Head Coach Greg Shipperd) creates an environment that we can all thrive in and we are all motivated to do our job for the team and our members and fans.

“To experience that final last season at the SCG, in what was our first trip back there all year, was something I’ll never forget.

“When the Scorchers dropped a catch the place erupted and it was the loudest noise I’ve ever heard on a cricket field. The fans were incredible.

“How could you not want to come back for more of that?”

Vince forms a lethal opening pair at the top of the Sixers order with BBL10 Player of the Tournament Josh Philippe and both will be crucial to the team’s chances of capturing an astonishing BBL three peat.

But Vince points out the side is not dependent on just a few players.

“We have so much depth and Shippy makes sure that everyone in the squad and even those on the fringes of the squad are ready to step in and play every single game,” he said.

“It takes a lot of pressure off to just go out and play freely when you know there’s a whole team behind you.

“We have a strong batting line up and bowlers that cover every role. I can’t wait to get back to Sydney.”

Also read:  Ireland Women finish in ICC T20 World Cup European Qualifier style, Eimear Richardson named Player of the Tournament

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