Billings: We’re in a dogfight

Captain Sam Billings has admitted Kent are in a dogfight to retain their County Championship Division 1 status.

Kent failed to bat out the final two sessions in a last-gasp defeat to Northamptonshire at Canterbury last week and started their game at Warwickshire on Tuesday looking nervously over their shoulders in the table.

Billings has called on his squad to dig deep, with a trip to Lancashire the following week before the four-day competition is put on hold again until September when Kent play their final three matches.

“It’s a case of character and how we apply ourselves and do the dirty work when it’s tough, really,” said Billings.

“This is proper four-day cricket and it hasn’t been like this probably my whole career, if I’m honest.

“This is where you see skill and character come to the fore because of these good cricket wickets, it’s a battle of attrition.

“Nothing much can happen for the first two days and then all of a sudden things can happen quickly.

“It’s about the team that can battle collectively that will come out on top and we came out second best [against Northants].

“Eight minutes or whatever It was … you go back to losing 5-30 in that first innings and we just didn’t put our foot on the

throat and press.

“It’s incredibly disappointing as you can probably tell and we’re in a bit of a dogfight now.”

Kent have been boosted by the signing of India quick Navdeep Saini as well as the muchanticipated return of New Zealand paceman Matt Henry. Billings is looking forward to welcoming the latter back into the fold.

“Matt Henry arriving will be a huge boost, character-wise as well,” said Billings.

“For me it’s an exciting addition and a really good boost for the group.”