Hampshire trio reflect on World Cup experiences

Hampshire's England trio have reflected on their T20 World Cup experiences with mixed feelings.
Hampshire trio Reece Topley, back row, centre, James Vince, front row, centre, and Liam Dawson, front row, far right, were part of Englands T20 World Cup squad who finished runners-up in India earlier this month    Picture: Sarah StandingHampshire trio Reece Topley, back row, centre, James Vince, front row, centre, and Liam Dawson, front row, far right, were part of Englands T20 World Cup squad who finished runners-up in India earlier this month    Picture: Sarah Standing
Hampshire trio Reece Topley, back row, centre, James Vince, front row, centre, and Liam Dawson, front row, far right, were part of Englands T20 World Cup squad who finished runners-up in India earlier this month Picture: Sarah Standing

New-arrival Reece Topley, Ageas Bowl skipper James Vince and all-rounder Liam Dawson were part of the Three Lions’ 15-man squad who finished as runners-up to West Indies last Sunday.

A remarkable final saw the Windies chase down England’s total of 155 for nine to claim victory in the last over.

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But Topley, Vince and Dawson were all forced to watch on from the sidelines in India after missing out on selection.

For Topley, it was a case of what might have been after the left-arm seamer was dropped after the first two matches of the tournament.

And the 22-year-old, who joined Hampshire from Essex at the end of last season, admitted his performances were not up to the high standards he sets for himself.

He said: ‘The World Cup was a good experience but, personally, it wasn’t great for me because I didn’t perform as well as I know I can and as well as I have done for England.

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‘On the other hand, the thing that got me through India was sharing in the team’s success.

‘The squad got me through the tour because I struggled personally.

‘But when you are winning games and you get to the final, it is hard to be unhappy or disappointed with yourself.

‘That’s the environment that Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace have created.

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‘There was an amazing amount of belief and freedom – there were 15 great guys who enjoyed each other’s success and wanted to share in the team’s happiness.

‘Looking back, the experiences I’ve had over the last nine months have been unbelievable, from making my T20 debut to playing in the World Cup.

‘I think it has furthered me massively in the one-day game and I am a much better cricketer for the experiences I have had on the international stage.’

For Vince, who contributed to England’s group-stage win over Afghanistan, it was an experience that left him wanting more.

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He said: ‘It was amazing – I only played in one game, so it would have been nice to have played in more.

‘It was just nice to be out there and nice to be a part of things.

‘When you are not chosen you have just got to deal with it – you don’t want to be one of those guys who is in the squad but moaning about not playing.

‘It was a good group of guys to play with and we had some fun out there.’

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Surprise selection Dawson is still to make his international bow but to be a part of the squad in India represented a proud moment for the 26-year-old.

‘The T20 World Cup was an unbelievable experience,’ he said.

‘To go to a World Cup in India where cricket is so big was an honour.

‘It definitely gave me a taste of wanting to be at that level again.’