SAM: DON’T BURN ‘EM OUT

ENGLAND’S Sam Billings believes the likes of Will Smeed and Ben Stokes being unable to commit to all formats amid an unrelenting schedule is a “wake-up call” for cricket.

Hours after Moeen Ali described England starting an ODI series four days on from their T20 World Cup triumph as “horrible”, Somerset said Smeed had signed a white-ball only deal with the county.

Smeed, 21, is a big prospect, hitting the The Hundred’s first century this year, but has turned his back on the red-ball game.

Stokes retired from ODIs in the summer and Billings (inset) feels these are warnings that should be heeded with the increase of T20 franchise leagues meaning more could follow Smeed’s example.

“Unless something drastically changes, I think it becomes more and more common,” said Billings, who will sacrifice a stint at the IPL to captain Kent next season in a bid to play in the Ashes.

“The schedule doesn’t allow all-format players moving forward. Ben Stokes is the prime example. If that’s not a wake-up call to whoever runs the schedule it should be really because your biggest players need to prioritise playing for England and get a bit more order.

“Will Smeed has made a very smart decision. His game is all around white-ball cricket. “It’s so individual and it shouldn’t be talked down upon.” Billings, 31, is a beneficiary of the upcoming three ODI matches against Australia.

With several players unavailable, the wicketkeeper batsman has a chance to stake a claim for the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023.