Thursday 23 November 2017 14:23, UK
James Vince was left disappointed after failing to reach a maiden Test hundred but the England batsman admitted he was pleased with his contribution after scoring 83 as England posted 196-4 on the opening day of the first Ashes Test.
Vince was thrust into the action early in Brisbane, joining Mark Stoneman at the crease in the third over after the dismissal of Alastair Cook for just 2, and the pair went on to share a second-wicket stand of 125.
Vince batted resolutely and the England No 3, who failed to score more than 42 in his previous seven matches, reached his maiden Test fifty from 106 balls before falling 17 short of three figures, run out by Nathan Lyon's superb direct hit.
Speaking after the day's play, Ashes debutant Vince revealed he felt relaxed despite playing in his first Test since August 2016.
"I actually felt reasonably calm considering the occasion and the fact it was my first knock in Test cricket for a little while," he told reporters.
"I tried to enjoy it as much as anything but maintain my focus out there. I tried to enjoy the occasion of playing in an Ashes Test at the Gabba without letting it get on top of me. I thought I got the balance quite right.
"It was nice to get some runs early. The conditions were perhaps a bit different to what we expected. There wasn't a huge amount of pace in the wicket at the start of the day but it came onto the bat a bit better as the day went on. They bowled really well and didn't give us a huge amount.
"It's disappointing obviously [not get a hundred]. Whatever score a batter gets they always want more. It would have been nice to have been there at the end of the day but stuff like that happens in cricket."
After winning the toss, England elected to bat and after a bright start, Joe Root's side were pegged back by late Australian wickets.
The dismissal of Joe Root threatened to derail the innings but Dawid Malan (28no) and Moeen Ali (13no) saw the tourists safely through to the close, finishing on 196-4.
Looking ahead to day two, Vince thinks the first hour of the morning session will be crucial to England's chances of posting a big first-innings score.
"I guess at the minute it's reasonably even," the Hampshire star said. "The first hour tomorrow will dictate how the rest of the day goes and if we can get through that without too much damage and Mo [Moeen Ali] can score quickly, Jonny [Bairstow] has to come in.
"We spoke a bit in the build-up to the game about trying to get overs in their bowlers' legs. With only three seamers it might be hard work for them coming back tomorrow. The more overs their bowlers bowl then the easier the scoring will become.
"Getting through the new ball early in the morning is crucial and then we can build up to 300, 350 and 400 if we play well. The morning is crucial for us. If we can get through the first hour we can edge our way to a big score."
