Billings’ warning for cricket

ENGLAND’S Sam Billings thinks 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 labelled England beginning an ODI series four days on from their T20 World Cup triumph as “horrible”, Somerset announced Smeed, 21, had signed a white-ball only deal with the county.

Smeed rubberstamped his reputation as a big prospect with the The Hundred’s first ever century this year but he has turned his back on the red-ball game, having yet to make his first-class debut.

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

“Unless something drastically changes, I think it becomes more and more common,” Billings said. “More so internationally. 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. If that’s what he wants to do, it’s his decision. It’s not anyone else’s career. So don’t try and force that upon him. Good on him.”

Billings himself has featured in several domestic T20 leagues but he will sacrifice a stint at the Indian Premier League with Kolkata Knight Riders and instead captain Kent at the start of next season.

As well as taking on board the lessons that led to him being worn down by various demands in the last couple of years, Billings is doing so in a bid to boost his hopes of featuring in next year’s Ashes.