Sam’s best yet to come

Sam Billings says he has an emotional connection to Kent and is desperate to achieve success with the club after signing a new contract this week.

The keeper-batsman came through the ranks at his home county and made his debut in all formats in 2011.

However, 13 ODI and 13 T20I appearances for England, as well as white-ball stints in the IPL, Big Bash and Pakistan Super League, have limited his Kent service over the past two summers,

The 26-year-old was strongly linked with a move to a Testground county – particularly Notts and Surrey – but he will remain at Kent in 2018 and serve as Sam Northeast’s vice-captain.

Billings has only played 53 first-class games in seven seasons for Kent and he said: “I have still got a lot to prove, especially in four-day cricket but I’ve averaged 44 over the last two seasons in first class cricket so I feel my game is definitely progressing year-on-year.”

He added: “A few Kent fans on social media have voiced their opinions on my travels.

“I know the supporters would like to see me play a full season