HAMPSHIRE director of cricket Giles White admits appointing James Vince as T20 captain was a risk.

Despite Vince’s limited captaincy experience, it is one that has paid off handsomely.

“It was a bit of a gamble but I see my brief as ‘what next?’ and I felt it was the right time for James,” said White.

“His age group have all grown up with senior players above them and I felt that he would bridge that gap and carry the others on to leadership. I feel it’s worked very well.

“There were other candidates and maybe a year earlier we wouldn’t have gone down that route.

“But last season he was becoming more mature and taking more responsibility and what’s been obvious is he has the respect of his peers and senior players.

“He’s also got a very good cricket brain. In Twenty20 cricket you’ve got to move quickly with the game and he’s done that.

“That’s what Dimitri did so well for us, he was a risk taker and went for it and Vincey’s carried that on very well.”

White believes Vince has the potential to captain the county in all formats and has been encouraged by the success of his partnership with new head coach Dale Benkenstein, the former Durham captain.

He added: “Vincey will only grow from here. He’ll be the first to say he’s got a lot to learn but he’s in good hands, Dale’s been exceptional.”