Billings blast sets up victory

Sam Billings might have a bat that looks a bit weird to all the others going around but the young wicketkeeper has no problems with that. However, you can be sure that those who bowl to him don’t like the look of a bat designed specifically for use in t20 cricket. The Gloucestershire bowlers will vouch for that after Billings produced another scintillating innings with it in the Royal London One-Day Cup quarter-final at Canterbury last Friday. Billings, Kent’s leading run-scorer in the competition this season, and the third-highest overall, smashed 61 off just 35 balls, including three sixes and seven fours, in Spitfires’ 24-run win. Kent’s prize is today’s (Thursday) semi-final against Warwickshire at Edgbaston after dismissing Gloucestershire for 218 in pursuit of their 242 all out. But Billings, who in a man-of-thematch performance took his tally to 418 runs in six innings at stunning average of 104.50, was taking his latest knock all in his stride. He said: “It’s nice to contribute and for us to get over the line while doing it. “It wasn’t the easiest of wickets to bat on but my confidence is good and you have to back yourself to go for your shots. “The new regulations, with one less fielder outside the ring, does give you more options as a batsman and it’s just about backing yourself to take those options.” But before the fireworks from Billings, Kent were in trouble at 11-2 after David Payne struck twice in as many balls to remove Rob Key and Ben Harmison on his way to an excellent return of 5-44 from 9.3 overs. Opener Sam Northeast (78 off 123 balls) and Fabian Cowdrey (51 off 68 balls) steadied the innings with a third-wicket partnership of 106 before Cowdrey fell. All-rounder Darren Stevens replaced Cowdrey and made 12 before he was caught on the long-on boundary to leave Kent 133-4. That signalled the arrival of the bighitting Billings – and he delivered again. He and Northeast put on 82 in 51 balls before Craig Miles (3-48) sent Northeast on his way and then took the prized scalp of Billings not long after. After Billings departed on 222, the last four wickets fell for just 20 runs. And the way the visitors set about their run chase, it didn’t appear 242 was going to be enough. They raced to 46 before Harmison (3-40) struck, taking his first wicket of night, that of Will Tavare for 19. Gloucestershire then collapsed to 125-6 before Will Gidman (39) and Benny Howell (33) shared a stand of 53. David Griffiths (2-36) yorked Gidman and ended Gloucestershire’s hopes by taking the final wicket of Payne.

Pictures: Tony Flashman Roll, action, cut – Sky television cameras were at the game and Kent supporters provided plenty of colour