Sam Billings is hoping to put in the performances for Kent Cricket in the coming weeks to keep his place in the side.

The 22 year old from Pembury has been handed the gloves for the Spitfires opening two Twenty 20 games against Middlesex Panthers and Surrey Lions.

Both games ended in defeat for the Spitfires, but Billings is hoping to put Sunday’s loss to Surrey behind him and wants the side to get back to winning ways as soon as possible:

“It’s good to get a run of games. Obviously we haven’t got the results we wanted, but we have just got to look forward to the next game.”

“It was a constant loss of wickets that lost of for us and we had to get ahead of the rate, but Dernbach is a quality death bowler and so is Azhar having done it so many times for us.”

“It was a shame we kept on losing wickets, but Sam (Northeast) batted beautifully, although people around him just couldn’t get going.”

Having been preferred in the side ahead of the more experienced Geraint Jones, Billings is hoping his keeping will improve sufficiently to keep his place in the side, but admitted the Ashes winner has been very helpful:

“The older lads helped me out and I came back in the second game and did well. I am learning from every game. I found it bloody hard work the other night with the ball zipping around. It was disappointing, personally, for my first game with the gloves but I worked hard and thought I did well on Sunday.”

“It’s just a matter of getting used to it, not putting too much pressure on myself and sticking to the basics.”

“This is something I’ve been working towards but there’s no time to dwell on it. I just have to get the job done and get on with it. There’s no time to smile, just keep getting the job done.”

“Geraint is brilliant, a top bloke. Nothing’s different, it’s just one of those things. I have to get the job done otherwise he’ll be there raring to go as well.”

The Spitfires welcome the Essex Eagles to the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence on Friday night and Billings is hoping it will be third time lucky for Kent who have lost their opening two T20 fixtures of the season:

“We’re in the strongest group and every side can progress probably. We’ve got a lot of good players. If we can pull it all together, we will be a force to contend with.”

“We’ll come back on Friday, get back on the wagon and get a win hopefully.”

Play starts at 7pm on Friday night and tickets are available from www.kentcricket.co.uk

Picture supplied by www.sarahansellphotography.com