"They Know I Can Play": Sam Billings Confident Of Cementing England Limited-Overs Spot

Sam Billings has been on-song for England in the limited-overs format. He has put up some fine performances for the national team and is confident to cement his spot in the limited-overs format. Billings had missed out on a spot in the England squad for the 2019 World Cup but is now making his opportunities count.

Billings notched up his maiden ODI century in a losing cause for Australia against England in the first match. Although, the results did not favour the hosts, it has been a confident booster for the young Billings. The determined youngster said that now everyone knows he can play for England at this level.

“It is a pretty tough team to get into at the moment: let’s be pretty clear about that,” he told the media.

“The white-ball batting depth at the moment in this country is pretty phenomenal so in that respect of course it is frustrating when you’re not playing. Whether it is for England or various other competitions around the world, you want to be playing cricket. At times I can’t fault anyone else but myself. I’ve been starved of cricket especially in the franchise leagues.

“Obviously the injury last year was easily the toughest of my career, missing out potentially on the World Cup squad and that whole experience. That was tough to go through but in a weird kind of way it was a real positive thing. It gave me time to collect my thoughts on my game and where I need to improve. The consistency element is the key thing for me. I think everyone knows how I can play at this level.”

Billings has featured in 19 ODIs and 31 T20Is for the national team thus far. He has scored 521 runs at an average over 37 in the ODIs and 17 in the shortest format of the game. However in the recent series’ against Australia he has proved out to be reliable for the hosts.

After bagging the T20I series, England have conceded a 0-1 lead to Australia. They will however look to avenge their first ODI defeat in the second match on Sunday to level the three-match series.