Sam Billings selected for cricket World Cup squad

Graduate Sam Billings has replaced Craig Kieswetter in England’s 30-man preliminary squad for next year’s cricket World Cup.

Somerset wicket-keeper Kieswetter sustained an eye injury whilst playing for his county last year and subsequently has been suffering from problems with his vision, putting his availability into jeopardy for the whole of the 2015 domestic season.

After completing his degree in Sports and Exercise Science, whilst also playing for the MCCU, Billings has gone on to play for Kent, with the keeper-batsman’s career best score of 143 coming in 2012 against Derbyshire.

England are likely to reduce their World Cup squad from 30 to 16 within the next week and it remains to be seen whether Billings will make the final squad. It seems unlikely with both Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow seemingly ahead of the Kent man in the pecking order.

England will eventually submit a finalised squad of 15 in January, five weeks before the big event begins in Australia and New Zealand.

The Epinal spoke to Sam:

“Obviously a huge honour being in the mix for the 30 man squad.”

“Any lads dream growing up is to play for their country so it’s just another step and one I want to build upon. Just got to keep working hard on all aspects of my game and continue to strive to put performances in starting with the lions tour to SA in the New Year which should be a brilliant trip.

“With the likes of Jonathan Trott, Gary Ballance, Liam Plunkett and a load of other guys who have played a lot of international cricket it’s a great opportunity to learn from those guys for me to hopefully move onto the next level like they have. Cannot wait to get stuck in.”