James Vince has broken his silence on his decision to relocate to Dubai with his family following two terrifying attacks on their UK home in 2024. The England cricket star admitted they no longer felt comfortable staying in the UK and needed a fresh start.
James Vince, who played a key role in England’s 2019 Cricket World Cup-winning squad, recently stepped down as Hampshire captain as he prepared to move abroad. While he will no longer participate in the County Championship, he will continue as captain in the T20 Blast.
A Difficult Decision for Family Safety
The 33-year-old revealed that after two distressing incidents at his home, his family needed a change. Now based in Dubai, Vince is no longer a UK resident, which impacts his ability to play cricket in England. However, the decision was primarily based on ensuring his family’s safety and well-being.
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“The first step was deciding as a family what our future looked like after the attacks,” James Vince told the Telegraph. “We wanted to get back to living in a home and regain some normality after spending months in hotels.”
He continued: “We made it through the summer and were in the process of selling our house, which has now been completed. We decided to spend the winter traveling, starting with an extended stay in Dubai. The safety aspect was a big attraction for us.”
Why Dubai? A Safe Haven for James Vince’s Family
James Vince admitted that he had been considering Dubai for a while, especially after speaking with people who had already relocated there.
“We knew a few people who had moved over, so we explored their lifestyle, schools, and community options,” he explained. “The opportunities for the kids, the education system, and the warm weather all made Dubai appealing. So, we thought—why not?”
“We just didn’t feel comfortable settling in the UK for a while, so we decided to give Dubai a try.”
Unanswered Questions About the Attacks
Reflecting on the frightening incidents, Vince admitted that they still do not know why their home was targeted.
“We still don’t know what it was about, and we probably never will. But we feel fairly reassured that it wasn’t specifically intended for us,” he shared. “Nothing has happened since, which is a relief.”
The cricketer also spoke about how the events impacted his young children. “Traveling and staying in hotels helped them forget about it to a degree, but it has been tough. Getting them to sleep in their own beds again has been a challenge.”
Now, Vince hopes that settling in Dubai will bring stability. “We just want to get this place sorted, have the kids live in a home again, and return to normal life. It’s a family decision, and I’m fitting cricket around that.”
