OH Sam Billings Makes His Mark In the England Cricket team

OH SAM Billings made a mark when he scored 34 against New Zealand in the third international of the one-day series, writes David Rimmer.

The Kent keeper, scored six fours in his breezy 16-ball knock at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Sunday. His knock helped England score 302 all out, before New Zealand, aided by dropped catches, reached the target with one over to spare. New Zealand totalled 306-7.

Billings’ place was thought to be under threat as he was being played as a specialist batsman at number seven which was felt to be a luxury. In the previous match against New Zealand on Friday, Billings made 12 when England lost by 13 runs by the Duckworth Lewis method. A late rain interruption hampered England in their run chase at the Kia Oval, as they had overs taken off and ended on 365-9 from 46 overs in response to the Kiwis’ score of 398-5 from 50 overs.

New Zealand 2-1 in the one-day series and England will hope to bounce back when the teams meet a Trent Bridge on Wednesday 17 June.