Sam Billings has been named Eoin Morgan’s deputy for the T20 leg of England’s upcoming series in New Zealand. The 28-year-old Kent keeper-bat, who made the last of his 21 T20I appearances in March, has missed international cricket since after suffering a shoulder dislocation in a Royal London One-Day game (against Glamorgan) that ruled him out of the World Cup squad.
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Billings, who made a career-best 87 in that game against West Indies in Basseterre, has got the elevation to vice-captaincy in recognition of his leadership potential. Billings has previously served a leader for County Side Kent and also led the England Lions last winter. “It’s great to get some recognition and it’s a huge honour. It’s a great opportunity to be recognised as a developing leader. And there’s an element of personal development about it, too,” he said.
“I captained the England Lions last winter and my county for the last two years. Eoin gave me a call a couple of weeks ago and said he’d love me to do it. I suppose he must see something in me. I’m looking forward to learning form him and implanting what I’ve done at Kent.”
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Billings, though, has stressed that his primary role in the team is to contribute as a batsman as he looks to fortify his place before next year’s T20 World Cup. Despite coming with glowing recommendations for his T20 abilities, Billings has failed to nail down a spot with the recent injury exarcebating his woes. England have opted to field a young squad on the tour of New Zealand as they look to start afresh after a gruelling home summer that included a World Cup and an Ashes campaign.
“I’ve been on the fringes for the last four or five years. I’ve made some performances along the way, but we have such depth in our squad in terms of batsmen and keepers,” Billings said. “The last innings I played was that 87 in the West Indies. But then I got injured and missed a lot of the year. So even though that innings in the West Indies was a long time ago, it’s about continuing that momentum in an England shirt. For me, it’s about enjoying it and it’s good to be back playing. The injury has given me some perspective. I just have to make the most out of every opportunity. For me, as a player, my focus is on being in that T20 World Cup squad.
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“I’m in the side as a batsman first and foremost and then as a keeper. You have to be able to perform at that top level consistently in those roles firstly. The captaincy is an added bonus and one I really enjoy. It makes you take responsibility for yourself and other guys.
“One great thing that’s been created around this group it that’s it’s so easy for people to come in and express themselves,” he said. “You’re encouraged to play the way that got you here. Tom Banton, for example, had a brilliant summer and will be encouraged to play exactly as he has been. Pat Brown is another with a few tricks up his sleeve who has impressed over the last couple of years. It’s great that we’ve that culture where people can really go in and excel,” he concluded.
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