James Vince has announced his retirement from first-class cricket for the 2025 season, enabling him to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) despite the ECB's new No-Objection Certificate (NOC) policy. While he will continue as Hampshire's T20 captain, Vince, 33, has stepped down as club captain after nine years and will not feature in their County Championship campaign this summer.
Retained by Karachi Kings ahead of the PSL draft, Vince had to choose between skipping the lucrative league or transitioning to a white-ball-only contract due to the ECB's policy restricting NOCs during the English season. The policy, announced in November, applies to all tournaments except the IPL. Vince opted to renegotiate his Hampshire contract, a move the club confirmed on Wednesday.
“I’ve loved my 16 years at Hampshire,” Vince said. “This change allows me to focus on T20 cricket while considering what’s best for my family and career.” Vince’s relocation to Dubai, where he is playing for Gulf Giants, and concerns over past incidents at his Hampshire home influenced his decision.
Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White, urged fans to support Vince’s choice. “James has been a cornerstone of the club for nearly two decades, both as a player and captain. While this news may disappoint fans, we hope they celebrate his contributions and back him in the 2025 Vitality Blast.”
Vince’s decision marks the first significant response to the ECB’s controversial NOC policy. Although unlikely to add to his 13 Test caps, Vince has been instrumental for Hampshire, amassing 29 centuries and averaging 41.22 in 197 first-class matches.
The policy has sparked backlash among players, with some threatening legal action. However, ECB CEO Richard Gould defended the stance, emphasizing the collective interests of English cricket over individual priorities.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore, recently signed by Peshawar Zalmi, is also exploring a transition to white-ball cricket to align with the policy. Meanwhile, Hampshire enters its first season under new ownership after the GMR Group, co-owners of IPL’s Delhi Capitals, acquired the club in a multimillion-pound deal. GMR is also expected to take over Southern Brave, pending ECB approval.
Updated on 16th January, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.