Sam Billings eyes Windies T20Is and IPL to make it to England's World Cup squad

Cricketers around the world who are otherwise not much in the reckoning to make it to their respective countries’ World Cup squad for the quadrennial tournament this year are harbouring hope, thanks to tournaments like Indian Premier League (IPL). One such player is England’s Sam Billings and he is eager to give it all before the hosts of the next World Cup pick their final squad.

The 27-year-old Billings, who hasn’t played international cricket since June 2018, was recently recalled to England’s T20I squad for the three-match series against the Windies. Billings will then play for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL starting March 23, exactly a month ahead of the deadline for the teams to submit their final squads for the WC. The Kent player wants to make use of the two series to make a point before the England selectors ahead of the WC.

Billings was recently in India as part of the touring England Lions team that played games against India ‘A’ in various formats. Billings though did not score consistently well in the tour. The cricketer, who averages 22.58 in 15 ODIs that he has played since 2015, is still confident of making it to the WC squad after captain Eoin Morgan and coach Trevor Bayliss said the 15-man squad for the WC is not locked.

Just have to score runs

Speaking to PA Sport, Sam Billings said, “I just have to score runs. There’s not just 15 guys who are looking for a World Cup spot, there are probably 25-30 guys who could easily get in. There is healthy competition all the way down. Who knows, if I get selected and go well in the T20s and then go well in the IPL then who knows.”

Billings attached importance to the IPL saying it is the closest one gets to international cricket and cited the example of Jos Buttler getting picked for the England Test team from the IPL. England play their opening game in the WC against South Africa at the Oval on May 30.

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