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Billings set for Kent return against Leicestershire
Billings set for Kent return against Leicestershire

Sam Billings is set to return to the Kent side for their County Championship game against Leicestershire, following his stint in the IPL.

Sam Billings T20

Wicket-keeper Billings has been named in the squad in the place of Adam Rouse, who has been deputising since the start of the season in the England international’s absence. Billings has had a busy winter, first as a part of England’s World T20 squad in India, before spells in the Pakistan Super League and Indian Premier League.

Overseas opening batsman Tom Latham and all-rounder Darren Stevens also return to the 13-man squad, having missed Kent’s stunning win over Derbyshire this week with injuries.

Mitch Claydon misses the game with an ankle injury, which sees Matt Hunn and Hugh Bernard come into the squad, with either of the young seamers in place to come into the side.

The bowling attack is also set to feature Calum Haggett, Matt Coles and James Tredwell, all of whom impressed in this week’s comeback victory at Derby.

Speaking to Kent Sports News yesterday, Sean Dickson, who made a superb 207 not out in the game, said morale was side in the squad with Kent sitting second in the County Championship table.

“The whole squad’s in a good place at the moment”, he told KSN.

“Obviously with the two wins under our belt, and the very unlucky first game against Worcester – not being able to get on the park has probably put us into second. If we’d walked away with a draw there, we’d probably be lying first, with a few more batting points and a few more bowling points.

“At the moment, we’re just focussing on the next game. We had training this morning [Friday], we welcomed Bilbo back, and Stevo and Tom Latham back into the squad from injury.

“The boys are just keen to get onto the park and keep winning games and putting in good scores.”

Despite Dickson’s first County Championship century for Kent coming with him opening the batting in place of Latham, the South African-born batsman is set to move back down the order to accommodate the New Zealander’s return.

“I’ll probably be batting at number five again” he said.

“Tom’s record is good, and he’s the overseas pro. I’m not an individual guy. I’m just glad that I could get a nice big score under my name moving on to the rest of the season.”

Leicestershire come into the game in fifth place in the Division Two table, with one win, one defeat and three draws from their five games so far. The defeat came in their most recent outing, as they were bowled out for just 43 in their second innings by Worcestershire, who went on to complete a seven-wicket victory.

Kent are unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Leicestershire, and have faced them already this season, playing out a rain-affected draw at The Fischer County Ground in Leicester.

The visitors’ 14-man squad for the trip to Canterbury includes former Kent players Neil Dexter, Niall O’Brien and Charlie Shreck.

Kent: (from) Bell-Drummond, Latham, Denly, Northeast*, Dickson, Ball, Stevens, Billings†, Haggett, Coles, Tredwell, Hunn, Bernard

Leicestershire: (from) Horton, Robson, Dexter, Cosgrove*, Pettini, Eckersley, O’Brien†, Ali, Wells, Taylor, Raine, McKay, Shreck, Sykes

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