Sam focuses on England
SAM BILLINGS is aiming to score the runs that will further his international ambitions after turning his back on T20 franchises for England.
Billings has made a bit of a name for himself across the globe by playing in the IPL, Australia’s Big Bash and the Pakistan Super League.
But this winter he turned down offers from every league bar the IPL, where he was retained by Chennai Super Kings, to have a fifth spell with the England Lions. It was a move made to push his case across the shortest formats.
The elevation of Jos Buttler to Test vice-captain on the back of his performances in the IPL is not a route that everyone can rely on.
So rather than try to copy him, Billings chose to go on another Lions tour, this time as captain, to show off his all-round game.
“I had the opportunity to go back to the Big Bash but went on the Lions tour instead,” said Billings, who also captains county side Kent. “It was definitely the best thing for me long term.
“I have seen what has happened with Jos, I suppose that was why I decided to go from DEAN WILSON in St Lucia
down the Lions route this winter and not just play T20 cricket.
“Yes, it’s all about hitting it out of the park and whatever but actually your basics of the game are important. If you’re not working and being exposed to four-day cricket, then it will suffer.
“And it helps in short-form cricket, too, because if you’re not in a strong position to hit a forward defensive, you’re probably not going to be in a strong position to hit it out of the ground.
“It’s about getting that rhythm to bat for long periods of time and put an innings together, which I did in India.”
Leapfrog
Billings, 27, knows the queue to join England’s white-ball batting line-up at full strength is the longest it has ever been, with Dawid Malan and James Vince, among others, vying to play.
But after seeing Kent team-mate Joe Denly leapfrog him into the first-choice England squads, he knows the carrot is very much there for him.
Billings added: “The story of Joe is a great one for anyone. Certainly if you’ve been in the fringes or out of the international arena.
“It’s amazing how quickly things can turn out if you’re a consistent performer and you enjoy your cricket, which he definitely does.
“I can learn from him and it is about scoring runs and enjoying the ride.”