Kentish Express Ashford & District
BILLINGS FEELS HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE IPL WILL STAND HIM IN GOOD STEAD FOR BANGLADESH SERIES
Kent’s Sam Billings insists he has a lot to offer after being named in England’s one-day international squad for the controversial tour of Bangladesh.
Billings has again been selected as a batsman and is part of a 15-man England squad who are set to depart at the end of this month ahead of three one-day internationals in Bangladesh in October. The first two games are in Dhaka on October 7 and 9 with the third match in Chittagong on October 12, although England skipper Eoin Morgan and opener Alex Hales have opted not to travel amid concerns over safety and security.
Billings said: “It’s good to be back in the England ODI squad as I feel I have a lot to offer with the gloves, bat and the field. “I have played the most amount of cricket in the 50-over format coming through t he r a nks for Kent and in club cricket.” The 25-year-old claims his IPL experience for the Delhi Daredevils this spring and Pakistan Premier League stint for Islamabad United will prove invaluable in the sub-continent.
He added: “Bangladesh are a seriously high-skilled outfit, especially on their own patch. It will be a good test and we’ll have to adapt to the conditions.
“Playing spin i s one of my strengths and that was developed during my time in the IPL in matches and training.
“It was also a good experience batting at four for England Lions this year which allowed me to play a different kind of knock to how I’d normally play down the order.”