Hampshire skipper James Vince is man of the match in the Australian Big Bash League final

For the second weekend running, the Hampshire skipper was within one boundary of only his second ever career T20 century against Perth Scorchers.

In the play-off semi-final, Vince had been left stranded on 98 not out after Perth’s Andrew Tye sent down a wild legside wide to seal the Sixers’ victory.

Vince was left fuming by the incident, irrespective of whether it was intentional, but he came out on top of their rivalry after inspiring the Sixers to their second successive final victory at the weekend against the same team.

He flayed 10 fours and three sixes, with this innings ensuring he finished runner-up to compatriot Alex Hales in the tournament’s run-scoring charts.

It seemed like it would be his day when he was dropped on 92, but Vince was dismissed three runs later after slicing Fawad Ahmed to Mitchell Marsh at backward point.

It was Vince’s fifth career T20 score in the 90s after previous innings of 99 not out, 98 not out, 93 not out and 90 not out.

In addition, he has also had innings of 87 not out, 86 not out and 85 not out!

His innings helped the Sixers to 188-6 after they were asked to bat first at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of a crowd of around 36,000.

Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone top-scored with 45 from 35 balls for the Scorchers, who became bogged down in the middle of their innings before eventually falling well short on 161 for nine.

Vince won his 18th T20 man of the match award and his second in a row.

Speaking to the Australian media, he said: ‘It’s a great night - one of the best atmospheres I’ve played in

‘It’s been a long few months but it’s great to finish on a high like this.’

Asked whether he thought his BBL form had attracted the interest of the England selectors, he added: ‘I’m not really focussing on that ... I guess it doesn’t do any harm but I just want to enjoy my cricket and do well wherever I am.’

Vince ended the BBL campaign with 537 runs at 38.35 - six behind Hales, whose 543 at 38.78 were scored from one fewer innings.

Vince’s former Hampshire colleague Dan Christian was winning his fourth BBL title, and his eighth in global events.

He still has some way to go to equal the record held by West Indian duo Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, who have both won 14 global tournaments.

Ex-Hampshire bowler Fidel Edwards failed to celebrate his 39th birthday by winning the T10 title in Abu Dhabi.

Edwards’ Delhi Bulls side were beaten in Saturday’s final by the Northern Warriors.