Billings hits 50 in England Lions win in Mamelodi
Monday 2nd February 2015
Kent's Sam Billings hit a quickfire 50 as England sealed an unassailable 3-0 series lead,writes Andy Wilson.
Ben Stokes treated the Pretoria township of Mamelodi to a stunning display of clean hitting as England Lions secured their one-day series against South Africa A in spectacular style.
The Durham all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 151 from 86 balls including 15 sixes, several of which sailed out of the small club ground and into the township itself.
Stokes hit nine of his maximums off the last 15 deliveries he faced, four of them in the final over of the innings from Marchant de Lange, as the Lions piled up 378 for six in their 50 overs.
He then took a catch and three late wickets as South Africa A’s reply ran out of momentum after a promising start. They were all out for 289 in the 43rd over, meaning the Lions won by 89 runs to take a 3-0 lead in the series with one match to play.
Stokes’ tally of 15 sixes was only two short of the all-time record for List A cricket set by Gerrie Snyman for Namibia in 2007, and is thought to be a record for an England player in any form of the game.
Stokes had come in with the Lions wobbling at 123 for three after being put in on a cloudy morning with some dampness in the pitch.
That made Jason Roy’s 67 from 72 balls especially valuable, continuing an excellent series for the Surrey opener, who put on 74 for the second wicket with James Vince.
Jonny Bairstow kept wicket with the Kent gloveman playing as a specialist batsman at number six.
Bairstow helped Stokes add 92 in 14 overs for the fourth wicket but it was in the last 15 overs that the innings went into overdrive.
Sam Billings improvised brilliantly to make 56 from 33 balls with five fours and three sixes in a partnership of 132 inside 12 overs with Stokes, who raced from 50 to 151 in only 40 deliveries.
The Lions were forced to make one change from the team selected for the third game of the series in Potchefstroom which was washed out on Saturday.
Liam Plunkett has jarred his neck, and he was replaced by Samit Patel, with Harry Gurney again ruled out by a niggle in his thigh.
The tourists bowled out their opponents for 289 in 42.5 overs with Dean Elgar (79) and unbeaten 58 from Chris Morris provided the only resistance.
After drawing the two four-day matches against South Africa A, the Lions now head for the last match of the one-day series in Benoni on Thursday aiming for a 4-0 series win, and an unbeaten tour record.
England Lions:Jason Roy, Alex Lees, James Vince (capt), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes,Sam Billings,Samit Patel, Tim Bresnan, Mark Wood, Boyd Rankin, Stephen Parry.
South Africa A:Dean Elgar, Reeza Hendricks, Stiaan van Zyl, Theunis de Bruyn, Justin Ontong (capt), Dane Vilas (wk), David Wiese, Chris Morris, Eddie Leie, Marchant de Lange, Mthokozisi Shezi.
See Sam Billings in action this summer with a Kent Cricket Membership.
Tickets to Kent v Australiaon June 25-28, the first game of the Ashes Tour, are free for all Kent All Rounder and Championship Plus Members and an option for Six Pack package holders.
Members can also buy up to six guest tickets before the fixture goes on general sale in March 2015.