JAMES Vince is set to be named as captain of the England Lions one-day side after continuing his impressive form against South Africa A.

The Hampshire batsman hit another vital half-century in sharing a second century stand in as many games with Lions four-day captain Jonathan Trott.

It is understood that Vince, who was unbeaten on 61 at the end of the third day of the second unofficial Test in Bloemfontein, will tomorrow be confirmed as the Lions captain for the five-match one-day series that begins on the same ground this Sunday.

Still only 23, he led Hampshire to a fifth successive T20 Blast Finals Day as the county’s youngest post-war captain last season.

And having struggling for the Lions before this tour, he is beginning to show the sort of form that has seen him touted as a future England player since breaking into the Hampshire team in 2009.

It is hoped that the extra responsibility that comes with leading a Lions side including full internationals like Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Boyd Rankin, Samit Patel, Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett will bring out the best in him.

Vince made 78 in a match-saving 165-run stand with Trott during the first Test in Paarl.

And in Bloemfontein his unbeaten 61 (122 balls, 11 fours) featured a 115-run partnership with Trott (53) that ensured the Lions will begin the last day on 212-4 - a lead of 51.

Only South Africa prodigy Theunis De Bruiyn and Trott have scored more than Vince’s 170 runs at 85 in the two Test series, which concludes today.

has been hugely impressed with Vince’s form.

“James played very well today, probably the best I’ve seen him play in this environment,” said England Lions batting coach Graham Thorpe.

“It’s very pleasing to see the lad take confidence and heart from his performance in Paarl, and put some fighting runs into this game for us.

Before the start of the second ‘Test’ Thorpe told the Sports Pink: “James is really developing as a player. He’s naturally talented and a wonderful striker of the ball.

“We’re delighted he scored runs at Paarl. It was a real confidence booster for him. The mid-thirties temperatures were fierce and the character of the players does get tested in such conditions.

“He took on the role and responsibility of captaining Hampshire’s T20 side last season. He’ll find division one cricket more challenging but he’ll have the opportunity to bat on all the Test match grounds and that will aid him even more.

“He’s improving year by year and we hope that continues.”