JAMES Vince warmed up for Tuesday's T20 international at The Ageas Bowl - England's first game in the format since the World T20 final defeat against the West Indies - with his maiden international half-century.
The Hampshire captain's 56-ball 51 helped England to a 122-win against Sri Lanka in Cardiff - and a 3-0 ODI series win.
Vince, whose ODI debut against Ireland last year was abandoned due to rain, reached fifty from 54 balls in his first 50-over innings for England.
He was stumped two deliveries later after missing a round-the-wicket delivery from off-spinner Danushka Gunathilaka.
His 51 featured five fours - starting with two glorious cover drives in three balls against Chaminda Bandara - and surpassed his 46 in the third T20 international against Pakistan in Dubai seven months ago as his highest score for his country.
Four of England's World T20 final side - Alex Hales, Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali - are not in the squad for tomorrow's one-off T20 international against Sri Lanka.
So there is a good chance that at least one of Vince and the uncapped Liam Dawson will be involved.
Vince was named man of the series for his heroics in the 3-0 win against Pakistan in November before playing in only one game - the group win against Afghanistan - at the World T20.
Dawson was a surprise inclusion in the World T20 squad and is now champing at the bit to make his full international debut after a stellar winter with the England Lions.
If he does he will come into a team full of confidence.
After England's win against the tourists at the Swalec Stadium on Saturday night, captain Eoin Morgan said: “This was a very convincing performance. There was no let-up at all really.
“To come out and perform like that, given there wasn’t a great deal on the game, I think sums up the desire in the group.”
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said: “This is a tough time for me as a captain and for the whole unit - but you can’t run away from it."
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