Sam Billings pulls out of franchise cricket after England drop him for South Africa series

England all-rounder Sam Billings faced an array of disappointments in recent times for not representing the national team. He was not picked in the team’s limited-overs’ set up in South Africa and hence he has made a huge decision over his career. He will neither press his case nor put his name forward for any T20 franchise action this winter. However, he believes that things will fall in the right place for him ahead of the new English season with Kent.

It was a year that never really got going for Sam Billings especially in terms of team selection. Though he has been a frontrunner for a World Cup tournament this summer, he was ruled out of the marquee event after dislocating his shoulder on the starting day of the season.

Sam Billings got an opportunity to play for the badge again in the absence of senior players including the likes of Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali. Billings was made the vice-captain for the T20I series in New Zealand. But unfortunately, he couldn’t grab the opportunity mustering just 34 runs in five innings, albeit with three unbeaten knocks.

Taking a break from the game to refresh

“All the best to the lads heading to South Africa. Huge amount of depth esp in the white-ball game atm. Of course, disappointed not to be involved but wish the boys all the best. Will be working hard to get back in the mix (in all formats) in the near future!

“On a personal level, I have chosen to pull out of any franchise cricket this winter as well to focus/freshen up for a big year with @KentCricket. Very fortunate to have played all over the last few years & a break from the game to refresh I feel is the best decision,” Sam Billings wrote in a series of tweets.

On a personal level, I have chosen to pull out of any franchise cricket this winter as well to focus/freshen up for a big year with @KentCricket . Very fortunate to have played all over the last few years & a break from the game to refresh I feel is the best decision 👍🏼 (2/2)

— Sam Billings (@sambillings) December 13, 2019

Apart from national commitments, Sam Billings preferred not to put his name forward for even the next week’s IPL auction after being released by three-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings back in November. It has been learnt that Billings had previously featured in the Pakistan Super League for Islamabad United, and for Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Big Bash League.

He was quite impressive in the closing rounds of the County Championship in August where he smashed three hundreds in consecutive innings, including two in the game against Yorkshire at Headingley. Billings would hope that he would get selected for England Lions when they jet off to Australia in the New Year to play three T20Is and as many ODIs.

~Written by Gurusai

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