SEAN Ervine reckons James Vince will play for England before the end of the season after another vital innings for his county.

Vince and Ervine put on 81 from only 40 balls as Nottinghamshire suffered a fourth T20 quarter-final defeat in as many years at Trent Bridge – including two to Hampshire.

Ervine whose 24-ball 39 included three fours and two sixes, marvelled at Vince’s form at the other end.

“It was a massive total to chase, especially in a quarter-final, but the boys came up trumps,” said Ervine. “Vincey’s knock was superb and he deserves every accolade that comes his way.

“I’m hoping he will get England colours by the end of the season.”

Ervine continued: “We knew it was a very good wicket with a couple of small boundaries. We knew we could get it but we needed two very good partnerships, which we got.

“Carbs and Vincey got us off to a brilliant start and then myself and Vincey had a nice little partnership which helped us kick on and brought the asking rate down.

“A lot of guys panic in those situations but I have generally been quite calm under pressure. I just knew I needed to get in and give Vincey the strike while I got in.

“He hasn’t been in the greatest form but he got through that difficult period and played some wonderful cricket shots.

“It’s very hard to defend any total when someone bats all the way through.”

Hampshire’s win was reminiscent of the last-ball victory under floodlights against Notts on the same ground two years ago.

“You’ve got to take those games, put them in your memory bank and feed off them when you come up to opportunities and big games like these,” said Ervine.

“It was a different situation this time, the feeling two years ago was probably even higher.”

Hampshire will now play Lancashire in their semi-final at Finals Day on August 23 as they target a third T20 triumph in five years.

“Lancashire have got some great players in their line-up," added Ervine. "But we won the first year we went to Finals Day, missed out the next year, won the next and missed out last year. Maybe it’s our turn to win again? We have to play like we did today.”