HIS TYME HAS COME

Vince insists fiery quick Mills MUST fill Archer’s boots at World T20s

JAMES VINCE is calling for Tymal Mills to be brought in from the cold to fill the World T20 void left by Jofra Archer.

The Test star believes it is time England picked the left-arm pace bowler following a four-year absence from the international stage. Mills, 29, produced some fearsome displays during Southern Brave’s triumphant campaign in The Hundred. And he helped seal victory against Birmingham Phoenix in the final on Saturday in front of a 24,000 crowd at Lord’s. “I hope Tymal gets the nod for the World T20 because he deserves it,” said Brave captain Vince (right, with The Hundred trophy).

“In my mind it makes sense if Jofra isn’t available to pick someone who can also bowl at 90mph-plus and has his change ups too.” Mills (left) has a T20 economy rate of 7.47, better than Archer’s, and has played in leagues all over the world despite a diagnosis of a congenital back problem in 2015.

He showed his masterly “death” bowling skills as Brave were crowned the new competition’s inaugural champions on Saturday.

Archer’s elbow injury has ruled him out of the World T20 in UAE and Oman as well as the Ashes in Australia.

Vince felt Mills’ batting “has certainly improved and he can slog a few”. He added: “A few years ago you used to have to hide him in the field, but no longer. He’s a more than capable fielder now.

“But his primary skill is his bowling, and to have the change of pace that he has and accuracy and skill he has with the slower ball makes him incredibly tough to face. He knows what he’s doing and what he wants, and is very easy to captain.”

The women’s team failed to make it a Southern Brave double, losing their final to Oval Invincibles, but Vince rates the tournament a huge success.

“People were sceptical and you hear people antichange before the competition starts,” he said. “But for me the whole experience has been incredible and every game has been played in front of big crowds making great atmospheres. To do that on the back of Covid where the stadiums were empty brought the best out of players.

“It was brought in to try to lure bigger and newer audiences to the game, to try to get more people interested in cricket in general and I firmly believe it’s already gone a long way to doing that.

“To be the first team to win the trophy is special.”