JAMES Vince has made a near-perfect start to his international career, yet faces a battle to retain his place as England gear up for the ICC World Twenty20.

The Hampshire captain, who is from Steeple Ashton, was England's man-of-the-series in their 3-0 victory in the shortest format over Pakistan before Christmas.

Others, however, are still ahead of the former Warminster School pupil at the top of the order as he rejoins the squad preparing initially for two matches in South Africa and then to travel to India next month.

Former Warminster and Chippenham player Vince took his chance in the United Arab Emirates, where he averaged almost 42 at a strike rate just below 120.

They are compelling, if not yet abundant, Twenty20 figures - coming twice at number three and once as an opener.

The snag for Vince is that, much like James Taylor in England's one-day international team, he has made his fine impression in the absence of rested first-choice incumbents.

He is set to play against South Africa A in today's only warm-up fixture, but only because England will again rest Joe Root and possibly the in-form Alex Hales too.

That leaves Vince in a potential Paarl 'bat-off' with Jason Roy, widely considered Hales' sure-fire World Twenty20 opening partner but who finished England's 3-2 ODI series defeat against South Africa with only 48 runs in his last four innings.

When he and Vince opened in England's most recent Twenty20 in Sharjah, Roy made a golden duck - and the new boy top-scored.

Vince has every right to be optimistic after his performances so far, but acknowledges he will have to jostle for a place.

"It's been a breakthrough year," said the 24-year-old.

"It's only a start. I've had three matches, but they gave me some confidence going into this series.

"It is a very strong side and there are some exceptional players, so it is going to be tough to get in."

Sensibly perhaps, he is not putting pressure on himself to consolidate instantly.

"I'm looking forward to this series and the World (T20), and (will) try to enjoy the experience - whether I play or don't play, do well or don't do well.

"I'm here to enjoy the experience and try to learn from it."

Vince's Plan A, having resisted any temptation to put himself forward for this year's Indian Premier League auction, is to then add early County Championship runs to his portfolio this summer in pursuit of a place in England's Test line-up.

"I guess I struggled a bit in four-day cricket at the start of last season, but then finished strongly," he added.

"I was pretty consistent in Twenty20 and one-day cricket.

"Ideally, I'd like to play all formats - but I don't necessarily know which one I'm best at.

"My way in has been through Twenty20, but I'd like to progress to the one-day and Test sides."

Vince's languid timing and tidy footwork bear the hallmarks of a batsman who should be able to succeed at the highest level.

Wherever England need him, he will stick to what he does best - rather than trying to join the club of 360 degree power-hitters.

"I can't hit it as far as (Ben) Stokes and (Jos) Buttler!" he said.

"Yes, I play more traditional cricket shots ... but I think that's why batting in the first six overs is good for me, when the field's up.

"Then as the innings goes on, I try to pick the gaps - and if there's one in my area, I try to give it a whack."

Vince is reunited with fellow World Twenty20 call-up Liam Dawson, not only a county teammate but one he has known since they were playing U13s cricket together for Chippenham.

Dawson is with the squad in South Africa, but not officially part of it, and will journey on to India as a back-up spin option behind Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.

Vince has no doubt, however, that the all-rounder is on an upward curve too since being given his opportunity as Hampshire's frontline spinner last year.

"He can definitely make an impact," he said. "If he gets an opportunity he's good enough to take it.

"Obviously Mo and Rash are bowling very well and will get the first crack - but if conditions dictate and he gets a game, or one of those gets injured, I'm sure he'd do very well."