England cricketer James Vince has made the difficult decision to leave the UK and its first-class cricket scene, relocating to Dubai after experiencing violent attacks on his home. Vince, who has scored over 13,000 runs in first-class cricket and is widely recognized as a T20 player, cited the attacks as a driving factor behind his move.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Vince shared the disturbing details of why he was forced to leave Hampshire, where he lived with his wife and children for the past eight years. His house was targeted twice by burglars while his family was inside. The intruders smashed windows to break in, though fortunately, no physical harm came to the family.

“All the experts we’ve spoken to say it looks like a money issue, unpaid debts or something. We have nothing to conceal, and all we want is for this to end,” Vince said.

Vince also called on the public to assist in identifying the culprits. “If you have any information or have noticed something in the footage that could assist, please contact us or Hampshire Police,” he appealed. “It could be the final piece of information we need to find out what is going on and get our lives back to normal.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board understood Vince’s request for a No Objection Certificate, allowing him to make this transition. Vince, who has captained Hampshire since 2015, expressed his love for the club, stating, “I love Hampshire. It’s been my club and home for 16 years. I want to keep delivering for Hampshire in T20 cricket and further our success in the competition.”

Vince emphasized the importance of balancing his family’s needs and the stage of his career. Currently playing for the Gulf Giants in the ILT20 tournament in the UAE, he leaves behind a remarkable first-class career, having played 216 matches, scored 13,340 runs, and hit 30 centuries.

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