Click to Close

News

Sam Billings (BF 04)

Old Haileyburian Sam Billings has a great chance to make his mark for England in the World Cup next year, writes David Rimmer.
The 24-year-old who left Haileybury in 2009 has made his mark for the England Lions and for the full England T20 team. The tournament takes place in India in March and April and the Kent wicket-keeper’s smart glove and skilled strokeplay would stand England in good stead.
He finished the year off strongly as he helped the England Lions beat Pakistan A 3-2 in the T20 series that finished on Wednesday December 16. Batting at number four, Billings scored two 50s and took five catches in the series. He thrived on the extra responsibility of batting higher in the order than he has done for the full England team. The Lions Head coach and former England Head coach Andy Flower singled out three players including Billings for their displays.
Flower said: “Sam Billings has some international experience, and he has a high ceiling. His potential is very exciting.
 
We gave him the opportunity of batting higher in the order than he does in international cricket, or indeed for Kent, and that has been great for him, to have longer scenarios in which to bat rather than just coming in for a quick-fire cameo innings.”
 
He added: “After struggling with that initially he certainly learnt a bit about how to build a Twenty20 innings.”
 
This came after Billings also scored a superb 53 in 25 balls during the T20 series when England beat Pakistan 3-0.
This year 2015 has been a breakthrough one for Billings who can go further with some commentators predicting a possible Test future for him but that is not on the immediate horizon.

Originally Written: 19-Dec-2015 19:31, Last Updated: 19-Dec-2015 19:31

More News