James Vince’s T20 World Cup hopes fade as England skipper Eoin Morgan admits: We don’t struggle for players in the top three

The Hampshire skipper has been in fine T20 form of late, finishing as the second top runscorer in the Australian Big Bash League with 543 runs at 38.35.

He was also averaging 34.8 when the Pakistan Super League was postponed due to a number of positive coronavirus cases among the six franchises.

But as he prepares for a five-match T20 series in India, a de facto dress rehearsal for the tournament this autumn, Morgan seems more than happy with a status quo that sees the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy and Dawid Malan heading up the England card.

That also means Alex Hales is expected to remain in the international wilderness as well as Vince.

Hales has not played for his country since March 2019, exiled on the eve of the 50-over World Cup following a failed drugs test.

England went on to win that tournament without him but the issue of his potential reintegration has risen up the agenda due to the 32-year-old’s red-hot run of form over the past 12 months.

He has become one of the most reliable players on the T20 franchise circuit and was the only batsman to score more BBL runs than Vince in 2020/21 - belting 543 runs at a punishing strike-rate of 161.60 per 100 balls.

National selector Ed Smith has floated the idea of inviting Hales to train with the side in the English summer as the first stage of a possible reconciliation, but Morgan is widely believed to hold the casting vote on such matters and appears steadfast.

‘I think our position on Alex still remains the same,’ said Morgan.

‘He’s not in the squad and the squad is very difficult to get back into. Alex’s situation is obviously very unique, the quality of the player that he is has never been in doubt. Like I’ve said before, time is a great healer.

‘Only time will tell, but you look at the strength of our squad at the moment and areas that we’re trying to improve – one area we don’t struggle for players, it’s probably in the top three.’

The only position Vince - and Hales for that matter - could realistically target, barring injuries or rapid loss of form, is Roy’s opening slot. Vince actually has a better T20 international average than the Surrey batsman - 28.33 (in 12 matches) compared to Roy’s 23.42 (in 38 appearances).

Morgan added: ‘One area every summer that we try and grow and learn more about is players outside of the squad.

‘We’ll have guys come in and bowl, bat in the nets and just be around the group. Last summer, we weren’t able to do that but this summer it’s looking like restrictions and bubbles will be a little bit more relaxed, depending on vaccinations and spikes.’