Kent batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond has praised teammate Sam Billings after the wicket-keeper’s inclusion in England’s World T20 squad.

Bell-Drummond and Billings, who have both come through the age groups together at Kent, were together on the recent England Lions tour of the UAE, where they faced Pakistan A and a UAE XI in a number of 50-over matches.

Billings has had a busy few weeks following the Lions tour. He is currently playing for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League, has been given an IPL contract for Delhi Daredevils, and then, on Wednesday of last week, was named in England’s 15-man squad for World T20 tournament in India, starting in March.

“What Sam’s achieved has been amazing”, his 22-year-old teammate Bell-Drummond told KSN.

“Everyone at the club has seen him come through and seen where he’s begun, so it gives us all hope that we’ll be able to reach those heights and reach international standard one day. Everyone’s chuffed for Sam and hopefully a few more of us will be able to follow in his footsteps.”

Explosive, creative batsmen like Billings have been the order of the day for England following last year’s disappointing World Cup campaign, and Bell-Drummond feels that the strides forward the side have made is testament to the county scene.

“It’s great to see that the English guys excelling around the world with the different competitions”, he said.

“It’s a good advert for county cricket that we’re producing good cricketers, and the national team as well. I think the standard and the shift in emphasis has really changed in the England white ball setup. It’s something that hopefully I can look to get into, and do well for Kent.”

Billings made just shy of 500 runs across Kent’s Natwest T20 Blast and Royal London One Day Cup campaigns in 2015, as the side reached the quarter-finals of both tournaments. His IPL contract and international commitments mean he looks set miss some of Kent’s domestic campaign, raising concerns from some of the county’s fans.

Bell-Drummond, however, sees his teammate’s new opportunities as a positive thing.

“It’s always going to be like that”, the Lewisham-born batsman admitted.

“I guess it’s a good problem to have when one of your players has reached another level. Obviously I’d probably say something different if I was the coach, and you really needed those results! It works in both ways. Everyone’s happy for Sam, and it also provides another opportunity for Adam Rouse to come in and do well for the club, so I think it’s a positive in many ways, more than a negative.

“Obviously we’ll miss Sam’s and his quality keeping, but I think everyone will be happy to see him playing at that higher level, and it gives an opportunity to someone else.”

KSN also took the chance to quiz Bell-Drummond on the potential signing of highly-rated South African seamer Kagiso Rabada, although he was unfortunately unable to enlighten us further!

“I really, really wish I could [tell you more], because he’s a ridiculously good bowler”, Bell-Drummond, said, “but no, you know as much as me on that!

“I haven’t [faced him], but he looks a handful! If the club could get him, that would be unbelievable.”

Picture supplied by Sarah Ansell Photography.