James Vince Earns North v South Qualification

Hampshire captain James Vince has qualified for the 2018 North-South series following his excellent Royal London One-Day Cup performances this year.

Vince, who led the South to their 2017 triumph, has qualified automatically this year after finishing in the top four England-qualified players from the South Group in the PCA rankings.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a stellar 50-over competition, totalling 463 runs from seven innings at an average of 77.16, including a record-breaking innings of 178 against Glamorgan - the highest List A knock from a Hampshire player.

The North-South series will again be watched closely by the England selectors and management in their planning for the 2019 ICC World Cup.

Alastair Cook, Daniel Bell-Drummond, and Ravi Bopara are the three other players to qualify from the South Group.

Keaton Jennings, Shiv Thakor, Sam Hain and Gary Ballance are in the frame to join the North squad – again, providing there are no clashes with any England commitments.

The 13-man North and South squads will be finalised by the England selectors at the end of the season, with dates and venues to be confirmed soon.