Kent’s Sam Billings is hoping he gets the chance to impress and make his international debut for England over the next few weeks.
The 23 year old wicketkeeper batsman has been called up for the five match One Day International series against New Zealand after impressing the England selectors over the past twelve months.
Billings narrowly missed out on selection after being included in the squad that took on Ireland in a One Day International in Dublin last month, having to make do with a cameo fielding role in the match that was abandoned due to rain.
With Jos Buttler set to keep the gloves for the forthcoming series, Billings, from Pembury, will be hoping for a batting slot and is hoping he finally gets the chance to show what he can do on the international stage:
“It’s a boyhood dream and that’s why you get out of bed every morning.”
“Rob Key said to me though that it’s just another game of cricket and at the end of the day you are playing against their best eleven county players.”
“I will go out there and just bat and soak up the experience. Ultimately I hope I get my chance and it will be nice to be there around people that know my game like former Kent coach Paul Farbrace.”
“There will be a lot of players there that I have played cricket with like Buttler, Joe Root and Ben Stokes and they are a talented group, so there’s no reason why we can’t beat New Zealand.”
“New Zealand are a fantastic side and got to the World Cup Final, but hopefully we can surprise a few people.”
Likely to feature without the gloves if he does get his chance, Billings admits he will be happy to slot into the batting order wherever there is a place and will be grateful for any opportunity that comes his way:
“I’d happily bat at eleven and then field from third man to third man, but ultimately I want to win games of cricket for England.”
“If I don’t get to play, then I will want to contribute all I can to the team.”
“I am hitting the ball well, but cricket is an inconsistent sport and anything can happen. If I have a go, I will try and do everything that has got me selected and that’s hit the ball when it comes my way.”
Billings will be missing from Kent duty for these next few weeks and could also be called up for the one Twenty20 match against New Zealand at Old Trafford on Tuesday 23rd June.
If that proves to be the case, Billings could then return just in time for Kent’s four day game against Australia beginning at Canterbury on Thursday 25th June.