Hampshire’s James Vince came to England Lions’ rescue yesterday, featuring in an end-of-day unbeaten century partnership with Jonathan Trott against South Africa A in the first unofficial Test at Paarl.

Vince arrived at the crease with England creaking at 67-3 after the Protea prodigies’ had posted a formidable 504-8 in the sapping Boland Park heat.

But Vince, with a classy 43 not out, and Trott (57 not out) added an unbroken 102 for the fourth wicket as the Lions rallied to 169-3 at stumps on the second day.

Vince had been feeling unwell prior to his innings – he may have been suffering from the heat as temperatures in the Winelands soared to the mid-thirties – but seemed to show no ill-effects as he played a series of classy cover-drives.

Hitting five boundaries, he briefly overtook Trott in the run-scoring stakes before the former England batsman reached his half-century.

“Vincey seems to play better the better the opposition is,” reflected Liam Plunkett, who took four of the eight Proteas wickets to fall.

“I think that will happen and he’ll do well on this South Africa trip.

“He’s talented and has a big future.

“I know from having bowled at him on the county circuit what a good player he is.

“He’s got all the shots and came in (at 67-3) and played well alongside Trotty against what is a very decent South Africa attack.

“James is happy and will go to bed knowing there’s runs to be had here tomorrow. Hopefully he’ll go on and make a big score.”

After an exhausting five sessions in the field, during which time the richly promising Theunis de Bruyn (202 not out) completed a clinical double-century, England lost three quick wickets.

Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth was trapped leg before by Chris Morris and then Rory Kleinveldt – who had a brief spell with Hampshire in 2008 – removed Alex Lees and Sam Robson, the Middlesex opener making 41.

But Vince and Trott, playing internationally for the first time in an England shirt since pulling out of last winter’s disastrous Ashes tour after the First Test defeat in Brisbane, successfully navigated the last hour or more, adding 102 and taking the Lions’ reply to 169-3.

South Africa A lead by 335 runs going into the third of the four-day match.