People are now petrified of England’s one-day side, claims Billings

SAM BILLINGS is a surprise choice as England’s wicketkeeper against Ireland – and if his upbeat remarks on returning from the Indian Premier League are any guide, they may consider choosing him as chief cheerleader too.

It is perplexing to some, perhaps, that England have nominated Billings to keep wicket for the first time in eight months rather than their Test specialist Jonny Bairstow, who last did the job to decent effect for Yorkshire 48 hours ago.

There has been some conjecture that Bairstow may be among those requiring an explanation, but on the eve of the first Royal London Series match at Bristol, England captain Eoin Morgan stepped in to explain the selectors’ rationale and confirm the Yorkshireman is at ease with the decision.

Billings, meanwhile, has reported back from his sixmatch IPL stint that these days the highest echelons of world cricket are abuzz with admirers in fear of England’s white-ball capabilities.

The great and good have watched Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler play starring roles for their franchises – and although all are still in India and therefore not in action against Ireland, they will be in harness again for England’s Champions Trophy campaign on home soil next month.

Billings has made some handy contributions himself for Delhi Daredevils over the past month, but it is the chat he has heard off the pitch which is most striking.

“Previously in this country, we haven’t made one-day cricket a priority as such, but now people are petrified of our side, and you only find that out by talking to them,” he said. “There’s a buzz around the reputation of the England team in white-ball cricket.

“It’s amazing to think about that transition from two years ago. Stokes gets a hundred, three man-of-the-match awards – everyone knows what he can do – and then there’s Woakes, Buttler.”

England must get by without them this week, but Billings sees no problem with that.

“Every single person over there [at the IPL] made contributions, and it showed our depth at the moment,” he said. “It’s kind of gone full circle, people now thinking, ‘they have a seriously good squad’.

“You’ve probably got 10 more guys who could slot in and do well. It keeps everyone on their toes.”

As for Bairstow, captain Morgan said: “He understands the position he’s in. It’s completely different to his Test position, where he’s the No 1 wicketkeeper.”