Sam fires a warning to the rest of the world...

Everyone is petrified of us in ODI cricket, says England star

SAM BILLINGS says the rest of the world are running scared of England in the run-up to the Champions Trophy.

That’s a statement that would have been laughable just two years ago after Eoin Morgan’s men limped lamely out of the World Cup at the first hurdle.

But England’s transformation since then means they enter next month’s Champions Trophy not only as hosts, but favourites.

Billings (right) was speaking on the eve of today’s opening ODI against Ireland in Bristol.

And the Kent wicketkeeper-batsman, just back from Indian Premier League duty with Delhi Daredevils, says England’s renaissance in whiteball cricket has been the talk of dressing rooms across India during the lucrative T20 tournament. Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler have all been allowed to miss the two-match series against Ireland to stay on at the IPL. And the form of that trio, particularly Stokes’ stunning 103 from 63 balls for Pune against Gujarat Lions last Monday, has underlined England’s strength. Billings said: “The best thing about the IPL is you share a dressing room with these guys and previously in this country we haven’t made one-day cricket a priority as such, but people are petrified of our side now and you only find that out by talking to them. “Stokes gets a hundred, three man of the match awards, everyone knows what he can do. Then Woakes, Buttler – every single person over there made contributions and it shows our depth at the moment. “It’s very interesting to hear what other internationals think of our side. It’s kind of gone full circle – people now think we have a seriously good squad.”

Asked if there were any players in particular worrying about England, Billings added: “Just generally, the buzz around the reputation of the England team in white-ball cricket – it’s amazing to think about that transition from two years ago.”

Meanwhile, limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan has criticised county coaches who have moaned about England players being rested for the opening rounds of the Championship season.

Yorkshire’s Andrew Gale was the most vociferous, saying he was “disappointed” with the England & Wales Cricket Board’s call to make Jonny Bairstow sit out his side’s first two games of the season.

But Morgan said: “It upsets me when coaches or directors of cricket come out and nail selectors for resting players. It’s just an unforgiving international schedule and a big part of our plans is looking after our key players. We’ll continue to do it.”