Sam Billings keeps wicket as England beat Ireland
Friday 5th May 2017
Kent’s Sam Billings took the gloves for England as they defeated Ireland in the first Royal London one-day international of the season at Bristol.
The 25-year-old Kent Cricket Academy graduate took a fine diving catch behind the stumps to dismiss Andy Balbirnie off the bowling of Jake Ball as the hosts triumphed by seven wickets at The Brightside Ground.
Billings, who has only kept wicket twice during his 20-match international career to date, has spent the winter playing white-ball cricket.
He represented Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League and Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League as well as international series in South Africa, West Indies and Dubai as England prepare for the Champions Trophy in June.
The right-hander said before the series: “The best thing about the IPL is you share a dressing room with these guys and previously in this country we haven’t made one-day cricket a priority as such, but now people are petrified of our side and you only find that out by talking to them.
“It is very interesting to hear what other internationals think of our side. It’s kind of gone full circle, people now thinking we have a seriously good squad.
“Generally there is a buzz around the reputation of the England cricket team in white-ball cricket – it’s amazing to think about that transition from two years ago.”