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Sam Billings (BF 04)

Sam Billings has been picked in England’s initial squad to play Ireland in a one-off match on May 8, writes David Rimmer. 

 

The Old Haileyburian, who plays for Kent as a wicketkeeper, was named in the squad that was announced on Tuesday April 28. Billings has played for Kent over several seasons, but did not get a regular spot in their four-day Championship side until last year. He impressed with the bat too in 2014, and also represented England Lions in South Africa during the winter. Billings has been touted as a possible future England player by several good judges including the Times correspondent and former England captain Mike Atherton.

 

The one-off game in Ireland is England's first limited-overs match since being eliminated at the group of the World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. "We are expecting a very competitive match against a talented Ireland side and this fixture gives us a great opportunity to look at players who have performed well in county cricket and for the Lions," said national selector James Whitaker. "We are starting to identify players we believe can make a real impact in limited-overs cricket in the next four years as we build towards the World Cup in 2019."

 

The England squad that has been announced does not include regulars such as James Anderson, Joe Root and Stuart Broad. They are set to be rested, as their tour of the West Indies is not scheduled to finish until May 5.

 

Originally Written: 29-Apr-2015 10:35, Last Updated: 29-Apr-2015 11:35