James Vince, the distinguished England and Hampshire cricketer, has announced his decision to relocate to Dubai after multiple attacks on his family home in 2024 left his young family fearing for their safety. The 33-year-old batsman, who has been a pivotal figure in English cricket, will step down as Hampshire’s club captain but will continue to lead the Hampshire Hawks in the 2025 Vitality Blast campaign.
In 2024, Vince’s residence near Hampshire’s headquarters was targeted in two separate incidents, which he believes were cases of mistaken identity. These attacks have profoundly impacted his family’s sense of security, prompting the decision to move abroad. Vince expressed the need to prioritize his family’s well-being, stating, “I need to understand what is best for my family, and combine that with the stage of my career I am at.”
Despite the relocation, Vince remains committed to his cricketing career. He has signed a revised contract with Hampshire, confirming his participation in the 2025 Vitality Blast and his role as team captain of the Hampshire Hawks. However, he will not participate in red-ball cricket during the upcoming season, citing the demanding schedule in the UK and a desire to extend his playing career by focusing on limited-overs formats.
Vince’s cricketing journey has been marked by significant achievements. Since his debut for Hampshire in 2009 at the age of 18, he has amassed over 22,000 runs across all formats for the county. He is the all-time leading run-scorer in the Vitality Blast and has been instrumental in Hampshire’s three T20 title victories. Internationally, Vince was part of England’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad and has represented his country 55 times across Test, One-Day, and T20 formats.
In addition to his commitments with Hampshire, Vince has been retained by the Karachi Kings for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, with a contract reportedly worth £100,000. The PSL is scheduled to take place between April 8 and May 19, coinciding with the first half of the County Championship. Recent policies by English cricket authorities prevent England-contracted or red-ball county players from participating in overseas leagues during the English season, except for the Indian Premier League. This policy may have influenced Vince’s decision to step back from red-ball cricket temporarily to honor his PSL commitments.
Hampshire Cricket has expressed support for Vince’s decision, acknowledging the challenges he has faced and his contributions to the club. The club stated, “After 10 consecutive years as club captain, Vince will also step down from this position but will remain as team captain of Hampshire Hawks.”