Billings withdraws from IPL to focus on Championship start with Kent
Monday 14th November 2022
Kent Men’s Captain Sam Billings has confirmed that he will not feature in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to focus on the start of the LV= Insurance County Championship season with Kent.
Confirming via social media from Australia ahead of England’s ODI Series beginning in Adelaide on Thursday, Billings said: “Have taken the tough decision that I won’t be taking part in the next IPL.
“Looking to focus on longer format cricket at the start of the English summer with Kent.”
This means that with the IPL Mini-Auction set for 23 December with teams able to make changes to their playing squad, Kolkata Knight Riders will have the opportunity to find a replacement.
Addressing the Knight Riders directly, Billings added: “Thank you so much for the opportunity, Kolkata Knight Riders! Loved every minute of it.
“An amazing franchise with some brilliant people. Hopefully see you again in the future.”
The wicketkeeper-batter’s decision to focus on the longer form of the game means that he will be available for Kent throughout the beginning of the 2023 season barring any international call-up.
The beginning of 2022 saw him make his long-awaited Test debut for England against Australia in a day/night Test at Hobart – making Billings the 700th Man to play a Test for England, the 60th man from Kent, & the seventh Kent Men’s wicketkeeper to do so.
In July, Billings set a new Kent & County Championship record, with twelve dismissals in a match, all of them catches, against Warwickshire in Kent’s win at Edgbaston.
He will still feature for the Brisbane Heat in this year’s KFC Big Bash League (BBL), after being drafted as a Platinum Pick in the tournament’s first ever overseas player draft back in August.
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