Billings in England ODI squad for Australia series

Kent vice-captain Sam Billings has been selected in a 16-man England squad for the five-match ODI series versus Australia starting in January.

Billings, currently Down Under preparing for the Big Bash League, and Durham seamer Mark Wood are added to the squad that defeated West Indies (4-0) in England at the end of the summer.

Both Alex Hales and Ben Stokes are included, though their involvement remains subject to any relevant legal or disciplinary developments in relation to the incident in Bristol in September.

National selector James Whitaker said: “With around 18 months to the start of the 2019 World Cup, our ODI side continues to make solid progress with series wins over the West Indies and South Africa last summer and a semi-final berth in the Champions Trophy.

“The forthcoming series against Australia presents another significant opportunity for this group to showcase their skills and talent against a quality side away from home.

“The core group of the squad have been involved at this level for at least the past two years and that consistency of selection has enabled us to build a cohesive squad that is playing some entertaining and winning cricket.

“I would like to wish captain Eoin Morgan, head coach Trevor Bayliss and the players every success during the series.”

See Billings in action in 2018 with a Kent Cricket Membership

Squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake Ball (Notts), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Tom Curran (Surrey), Alex Hales (Notts), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

Fixtures

1st ODI – Sunday 14 January, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne (2.20pm local time)

2nd ODI – Friday 19 January, Gabba, Brisbane (1.20pm local time)

3rd ODI – Sunday 21 January, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (2.20pm local time)

4th ODI – Friday 26 January, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (1.50pm local time)

5th ODI – Sunday 28 January, Optus Stadium, Perth (11.20am local time)