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Samuel William Billings (born 15 June 1991) is an English professional cricketer. Billings is a right-handed batsman who fields as a wicket-keeper. He was born at Pembury in Kent and has played for Kent County Cricket Club teams since he was eight years old, making his senior debut for the First XI in 2011. In October 2017 he was appointed as the vice-captain of the team before being appointed as captain in January 2018, replacing Sam Northeast.[1][2] He served as the club's captain until the end of the 2023 season when he resigned, although he retained the captaincy of the club's Twenty20 cricket team.[3]

Key Information

Billings is regarded as a versatile cricketer who studies the game intensely and has an imaginative range of scoring shots.[4] He has appeared mainly in limited overs formats for the England cricket team and made his Test cricket debut in January 2022. He has played Twenty20 franchise cricket in the Pakistan Super League, Indian Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League and in the Big Bash League in Australia and captained Oval Invincibles in all four seasons of The Hundred.

Early and personal life

[edit]

Billings was born at Pembury in Kent and grew up on his family's farm in the north of the county.[4][5] He developed as a good all-round sportsman, playing tennis for Kent and being offered a trial for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club after scoring a hat-trick against the team's academy team whilst playing for Corinthian under-14s.[6] He also played racquets, squash, and rugby.[5][7] His grandfather, Ron Billings, was a racquets champion and his cousin, Tom Billings, has been world champion of the sport.[5][7] Billings attributes racquets with helping to develop his batting skills, in particular his hand-eye coordination.[7]

Billings attended New Beacon School in Sevenoaks, and then Haileybury College in Hertfordshire, appearing regularly for their cricket XI throughout his school career. He studied for a degree in Sport and Exercise Science at Loughborough University.[8][9] Billings has said that he was "nowhere near good enough"[9] to become a professional cricketer before his time at university and credits it with encouraging him to work hard to develop his talent.[9]

Early career

[edit]

Billings made his first-class debut for Loughborough MCCU against Northamptonshire in 2011. He made a further first-class appearance for the team in 2011, against Leicestershire.[10] In his four first-class matches for Loughborough MCCU, he scored 321 runs at an average of 45.85, with a highest score of 131.[10] This score came in his debut match against Northamptonshire.[11]

Kent career

[edit]

Whilst at university Billings was also a member of the Kent squad, and he made his debut for the county in May 2011 in a first-class match against his university team, Loughborough MCCU.[10] During the 2011 season he also made his List A debut for Kent against the Netherlands in the 2011 Clydesdale Bank 40, standing in for regular wicket-keeper Geraint Jones. Billings made three further List A appearances in the 2011 season, as well as playing in four matches in the 2011 Friends Provident t20.[10] After leading the county in one day runs scored in 2012, Billings replaced former England wicket-keeper Jones in Kent's 2013 Friends Life t20 campaign.[12] At the end of the season he kept wicket in the County Championship, breaking Jones' string of 115 consecutive Championship appearances for Kent[13] before playing Sydney Grade Cricket for Penrith District Cricket Club during the 2013–14 English winter.[14]

Billings became the first choice wicket-keeper for Kent in the 2014 season. He played in the champion county match in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of the 2015 season before scoring 693 runs at an average of 29.80 in the 2015 County Championship season and making his England One Day and T20 debuts. He was awarded his Kent county cap in August 2015 during the annual Canterbury Cricket Week and signed a contract extension with Kent, in January 2016.[15][16][17]

After spending the winter playing one-day international cricket with England and featuring in both the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 competitions, Billings returned to Kent at the end of May having missed six County Championship matches as well as the start of both one-day competitions.[18] During the 2016 season he became only the second Kent wicket-keeper to take seven catches in an innings and the tenth to claim nine dismissals in a first-class match, both one short of equalling the record for the county,[19][20][21] and made his highest score in first-class cricket.[22]

Billings spent the following winter playing for England in Bangladesh, Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League and for England again in India and the West Indies as well as once again playing in the PSL and IPL.[23][24] England duty again kept him away from Kent for parts of the 2017 season and he played in only six of the county's County Championship matches during the season, although he was ever present during the T20 Blast.[25][26] He averaged 43.66 in the Championship games he played and captained the team in a tour match against the West Indies in August.[25][1] At the end of the season he signed a new contract with Kent and was appointed officially as the team's vice-captain.[1][25]

Following Sam Northeast's removal as Kent captain in early 2018 Billings was appointed to the post as his replacement, despite some disquiet about his participation in the 2018 Indian Premier League. This meant that he missed the first part of the County Championship and One Day Cup seasons.[1] The team was captained by Joe Denly in Billings' absence. Later in the season Billings once again signed a contract extension.[27]

Billings captained Kent Spitfires to the 2021 T20 Blast title, beating Somerset in the final by 25 runs to win the tournament and their second domestic T20 title.[28]

International career

[edit]
Billings batting for England against New Zealand in 2015

Billings was first called into the England Performance Programme in 2014 and took part in a training camp in Sri Lanka during the English winter.[29][30][31] He had played for an ECB under-16 team in 2006 and for England age group teams at under-17 and under-18 level before touring Bangladesh with the England under-19 team in 2009.[10][32][33]

He was named in the squad for the England Lions cricket team in the 2014/15 off-season in South Africa,[29] making his debut and scoring 53 against a Gauteng Invitation XI in January 2015 and going on to play for the Lions in four of the five unofficial one-day international matches on the tour.[34][35] In late 2014 he had been named in the provisional squad for the England cricket team before the 2015 Cricket World Cup, replacing the injured Craig Kieswetter,[29][31][36] but did not feature in the final squad for the tournament.

International debut

[edit]

Billings made his senior England international debut in an ODI against the touring New Zealand team in June 2015, playing as a batsman and scoring three runs.[37] After playing in all five ODIs during the series, he made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut on 23 June 2015, scoring 21 runs.[38] He was an unused member of the ODI squad against Australia later the same summer before playing in the only T20I against the Australians at the end of August.

After the New Zealand series Billing was a regular in England ODI and T20I squads but played infrequently for two years, never appearing in two consecutive England ODI teams until March 2017.[39] He made his England debut as a wicketkeeper in the first T20I against Pakistan in Dubai in November 2015. He made his maiden international half-century in the match,[40] reaching his fifty in 24 balls, before being run out for 53 off the last ball of the England innings. He took two catches and completed a stumping during the Pakistan innings as England won by 14 runs.[41][42][43] He was adjudged man of the match for his performance during the match.[44]

He played for the Lions against Pakistan A in Dubai in January 2016,[15] against South Africa in 2016 and was selected for the England squad for the 2016 World Twenty20 competition. He did not make an appearance for England during the competition, other than as a substitute fielder.[45] He was named in a 30-man England Performance Squad for the 2016 domestic season[46] and played for the full England T20 team against Sri Lanka in July 2016[47] and for the Lions team against Pakistan A and Sri Lanka A, scoring his highest List A cricket score of 175 against Pakistan at Canterbury,[48] before touring Bangladesh with the England One Day International team in October, scoring his maiden ODI half-century with a score of 62 in the final match of the series batting as a replacement opening batsman, to help England to a 2–1 series win.[9][49][50][51]

In early 2017 Billings was part of the England ODI and T20 squad which toured India. He played in the opening List A match of the tour against India A again as a specialist batsman, scoring 93 runs,[52] and in an ODI and T20 match on the tour[4] before playing back to back ODI matches for the first time since his debut series against the West Indies.[39][53] He was an unused member of the England squad for the 2017 Champions Trophy but played against Ireland, South Africa and West Indies during the summer of 2017.[54] In early 2018 he joined the England squad in Australia for the ODI element of their tour, although he did not appear in any of the matches, before playing in the 2017–18 Trans-Tasman Tri-Series T20 matches against Australia and New Zealand in February. He was, again, an unused member of the England squad for the ODI series against New Zealand which followed.

In October 2019, Billings was named as the vice-captain and first-choice wicket-keeper in England's T20I squad for their tour of New Zealand.[55] He played in all five T20I matches on the tour, although he only scored 34 runs in his five innings and was not selected for the limited-overs team in South Africa early 2020.[56] In May 2020, he was named in a group of 55 players to begin behind closed doors training ahead of international fixtures starting in England following the COVID-19 pandemic.[57] He was not selected in the Test team to face the West Indies but in July was named in the squad for the ODI series against Ireland[58][59] After playing in all three matches against Ireland without being dismissed and making scores of 67 and 46,[60] he played in the three T20I matches against the touring Pakistanis. Following the return of more established players for matches at the end of the summer against Australia, Billings played in only the last T20I of the three-match series, but was selected for the opening ODI. He went on to make his first senior international century in the match, scoring 118 runs,[61][62][63] before playing in both of the other matches in the series. Wisden named him in their ODI team of 2020, the only member of the England team to be selected.[64]

Test cricketer

[edit]

Following an injury to Ben Foakes in May 2021, Billings was added to England's Test squad for the first time ahead of the series against New Zealand.[65] He did not play in either of the matches in the series but in August was again added to England's Test squad, this time as wicket-keeper cover for the fourth Test against India.[66] In September 2021, Billings was named in England's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.[67]

Billings made his Test debut for England in the final Test of the 2021–22 Ashes series. Following injuries to both of the team's wicket-keepers, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow, Billings was added to the team as a replacement, having been playing in the Big Bash League for Sydney Thunder, driving more than 500 miles (800 km) from Brisbane as a precaution against COVID-19.[68] He made his debut at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart scoring 29 runs in England's first innings and taking five catches in Australia's second in a debut which was described as composed.[69][70][71] After being "overlooked" for selection for England's ODI series against the Netherlands in June 2022,[72] he was again called into the England Test team as a replacement, this time during a match against the touring New Zealanders after Ben Foakes had tested positive for COVID-19 during the match. Billings took Foakes' place as the team's wicket-keeper on the fourth day of the third Test of the series at Headingley.[73] He was retained in the Test squad for the single Test to be played at the start of July against India. This match had been postponed in September 2021 due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Indian squad.[74]

After missing out on selection for England's squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup in October 2022, Billings returned to the England ODI team for their series against Australia in November.[75] He was the team's top-scorer in the second ODI of the series, showing "the necessary grit" to build an innings of 77 runs after England had lost early wickets.[76]

Twenty20 franchise leagues

[edit]

Billings is a regular participant in Twenty20 franchise leagues around the world. He has played for teams in the Pakistan Super League, Australian Big Bash and Indian Premier League and was scheduled to play in the first season of the abortive South African T20 Global League. He has spoken of his belief that playing T20 cricket with many of the best cricketers in the world is effectively playing international cricket and that players who do so are "going to improve, no doubt", with franchise leagues "fast forward" the growth of cricketers.[77]

In December 2015 Billings was selected by Islamabad United in the 2016 Pakistan Super League draft, the first of three overseas Twenty20 leagues he took part in during 2016.[9][78] The tournament took place in the United Arab Emirates in February 2016 and was the inaugural season of the competition. Billings played in five matches for Islamabad, scoring 34 runs with a top score of 26, but saw the opportunity to learn from players such as Australian Test wicket-keeper Brad Haddin as "invaluable".[79][80] He was retained by Islamabad for the 2017 season, playing in the team's first five matches of the tournament before leaving to join the England ODI team in the Caribbean.[81][82][83] In 2018 Billings was with England in New Zealand at the start of the tournament and, despite joining Islamabad towards the end of the group stage, did not play a match during the PSL season.

Billings was purchased by Delhi Daredevils in the 2016 Indian Premier League auction in February 2016 for £30,000.[84][85] He scored 54 runs on his debut for Delhi, helping the team to a victory over Kolkata Knight Riders,[86][87][88] before going on to play in four further matches before Delhi were eliminated at the end of the group stage.[89][90] Despite playing in only five matches in the tournament,[91] Billings again saw the experience as one which would help him "improve as a player".[92] In particular, he cited the influence of Delhi's coach Rahul Dravid and had approached the IPL, which he rated as a "phenomenal experience",[18] with the intention of developing his skills, particularly against spin bowling.[23][92][93][94] He has credited the experience of working with players from around the world as a major factor in the improvement of his game, from the use of different training methods to eating more effectively.[4][26] Billings was retained by Delhi for the 2017 Indian Premier League with the intention of him playing until 1 May in order to return to England to play against Ireland and prepare for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.[82][83][91][95]

In November 2016 Billings signed to play for Sydney Sixers in the 2016–17 Big Bash League in Australia.[96][97][98] He made his debut for the Sixers in the opening match of the tournament, taking two catches as the team beat Sydney Thunder by nine wickets.[83][99] After appearing in the Sixers first five matches of the tournament, Billings left the team to join the England squad in India at the beginning of January 2017. He batted four times for Sydney, averaging 31.25 runs.[100]

After playing again for Sydney in the Big Bash League in 2017/18, Billings was bought by the Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 IPL auction for £71,000.[101][102] Although he scored a match-winning 56 runs in Chennai's second match of the tournament, a rather disappointing tournament[103] saw him score 108 runs at an average of 13.60 in 10 matches and he did not play in the final as Chennai won the title.[104]

In 2018 he captained Bengal Tigers in the T10 League played in the United Arab Emirates[105] having been picked second in the competition's draft in July.[106] A break from overseas T20 leagues saw him play more frequently for Kent, before he was signed to play for Sydney Thunder in the 2020/21 Big Bash. In February 2021, he was bought again by Delhi ahead of the 2021 Indian Premier League, missing the start of Kent's season, although he did not play a match for the team during the competition.[10][107]

During the 2021 home season, Billings captained Oval Invincibles during the 2022 season of The Hundred, the ECB's new franchise competition.[108] The team were eliminated from the competition during the last round of group-stage matches.[109] He was retained by the team for the 2022 season.[110] In February 2022, he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2022 Indian Premier League, once more mission the start of Kent's domestic season.[111] He played in eight matches for the team, missing games due to illness, and scored 169 runs during the competition.[10][112][113] In August 2022 Billings was selected by Brisbane Heat as the third pick in the first Big Bash league draft ahead of the 2022–23 Big Bash.[114] In November, however, he pulled out of the following IPL season, citing his desire to focus on long-form cricket with Kent and burn-out associated with having spent 18 months playing cricket around the globe.[113][75] He did take part in the 2023 Pakistan Super League, winning the tournament with Lahore Qalandars, his second PSL title.[115]

Career best performances

[edit]

As of November 2022, Billings has made six first-class, seven List A centuries, including one in international cricket, and one Twenty20 century. His first senior century was a score of 131 made on his first-class debut for Loughborough MCCU against Northamptonshire at the beginning of the 2011 season.[116] He scored his first first-class century for Kent in July 2015 against Essex at Tunbridge Wells, having been out for 99 earlier in the same month against Surrey.[117][118] His third first-class century, 171 runs, came against Gloucestershire in August 2016 and is his current highest first-class score.[22] Billings' fourth, fifth and sixth centuries were scored in back-to-back innings in September 2019, including two in the same match against Yorkshire at Headingley, the first time two centuries had been scored by the same player on the ground in a County Championship match.[119][120]

Billings has scored seven List A cricket centuries and in 2014 shared the Walter Lawrence Trophy for the quickest century in County cricket during the season, scored off 46 balls against Somerset in a 2014 Royal London One-Day Cup match.[121] His highest List A score of 175 was made for England Lions against Sri Lanka A at his home ground of Canterbury during July 2016[48] whilst his highest Twenty20 score of 106 was made for Kent against Somerset at Canterbury in June 2024.[122]

In September 2020 Billings scored his debut senior international century, making a score of 118 in a One Day International match between England and Australia at Old Trafford cricket ground.[62]

In July 2022 Billings set a new County Championship record of 12 catches in a match as his Kent team beat Warwickshire.[123]

As of 8 June 2024

Best Career Batting Performances
Format Score Fixture Venue Season
First-class cricket 171 Kent v Gloucestershire Bristol 2016
List A cricket 175 England Lions v Sri Lanka A Canterbury 2016
Twenty20 cricket 106 Kent v Somerset Canterbury 2024

Support for cricketing causes

[edit]

Billings has been involved in supporting the development of cricket by charitable organisations and throughout the world. He has supported activities organised by the Lord's Taverners and worked with disabilities cricket teams with the charity and with NatWest's Cricket has no boundaries campaign.[26][124][125] He is an ambassador for the Taverners and launched a cricket ambassador programme for them in 2016.[126] He has worked with youth cricket teams[127][128] and in October 2017 visited Rwanda to play in a T20 cricket match to mark the opening of the Rwanda Cricket Stadium.[129] He is a patron of cricket in Rwanda.[130]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sam Billings

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Samuel William Billings (born 15 June 1991) is an English professional cricketer who plays as a right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman primarily in limited-overs formats. He has also played three Test matches for England. Born in Pembury, Kent, Billings rose through the Kent Cricket Academy and made his first-class debut for Kent County Cricket Club in April 2012, establishing himself as the county's first-choice wicketkeeper from 2014 onward, succeeding former England player Geraint Jones. Billings earned his international call-up in 2015 after strong performances with the England Lions, debuting in One Day Internationals (ODIs) against in June of that year and in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) later during the same tour. He has since represented in 28 ODIs and 37 T20Is, showcasing his aggressive middle-order batting and agile wicketkeeping, with notable contributions including a half-century on ODI debut and key roles in major tournaments like the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup. Known for his inventive shot-making and white-ball prowess, Billings has been a consistent performer in domestic , amassing over 3,600 first-class runs and excelling in List A competitions with an average exceeding 40. Beyond county and international cricket, Billings has thrived in global T20 leagues, featuring in the (IPL) for and , including a rapid 56 off 23 balls for Chennai Super Kings in 2018; the for ; the ; the for Antigua & ; and The Hundred for . His T20 career spans over 380 matches, underlining his reputation as a dynamic finisher and reliable custodian in high-pressure limited-overs scenarios.

Personal life

Early life

Sam Billings was born on 15 June 1991 in , , . He grew up on his family's farm in the north of the county, where he spent his childhood immersed in a rural environment that complemented his active lifestyle. The Billings family has a strong sporting heritage; his grandfather, Ron Billings, was a champion in the sport of racquets, which likely influenced Sam's early exposure to competitive athletics. From a young age, Billings displayed talent across multiple sports, including —for which he represented at county level—and football, where he played for local clubs like and earned spots in Kent schools' age-group teams. His passion for emerged prominently during this period, as he began training and competing in youth setups around the ages of 8 to 10, initially through local teams that provided his first structured competitive experiences. These early opportunities helped cultivate his skills as a wicketkeeper-batsman, setting the foundation for his development in the sport. Billings' family background emphasized support for his pursuits without public prominence, allowing him to focus on honing his abilities in a supportive home setting on the farm. He has a close relationship with his cousin, Tom Billings, a racquets player who shares the family's affinity for s and has been a world champion in the . No significant relocations occurred during his early years, keeping his formative experiences rooted in .

Family and education

Billings is engaged to Sarah Cantlay, a professional player who has represented in various tournaments. The couple became engaged in November 2021 during a trip to the , and they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Ivie, on March 1, 2024. As of 2025, the family resides in , with Cantlay often providing support during Billings' international tours and franchise commitments. His family has played a key role in fostering his passion for sports, with his parents offering consistent encouragement throughout his professional journey while maintaining a low public profile. Billings' grandfather, Ron, was a former champion in the sport of racquets, influencing the family's athletic orientation from an early age. Billings received his early education at in , , before attending Haileybury College in from 2004 to 2009, where he captained the First XI and earned a reputation as a promising wicketkeeper-batsman. He then pursued a degree in Sport and Exercise at , completing his studies in 2013 while simultaneously advancing in professional ; the demands of his Kent county commitments led him to abbreviate some aspects of his university program.

Domestic career

Youth and county debut

Sam Billings joined the youth system at the age of eight, beginning his structured development in his home county of . He progressed through the club's age-group teams, including the Under-13s, participating in festivals and competitions that honed his skills as a wicket-keeper batsman. By 2009, Billings had earned selection to the England Under-19 squad for their tour of , where he featured in tour matches, including against the XI. This opportunity marked his introduction to international youth cricket, building on his domestic experience with Kent's academy. During the tour, he adapted to subcontinental conditions, though his batting contributions were modest in limited appearances. Billings made his senior debut for in 2011 across limited-overs formats, starting with his List A appearance against the in the 40, where he deputized as wicket-keeper. That year, he also debuted in T20 cricket for the county. His first-class debut came shortly before, in April 2011 for Loughborough MCCU against , where he impressed by scoring 131 in his second innings, signaling his potential as a middle-order batsman. In 2012, Billings broke into Kent's side, making his first-class debut for the county against at in May. He faced initial challenges as a wicket-keeper batsman, competing for opportunities behind established players like , but showed promise in one-day with consistent scores, including a notable 143 against in the Clydesdale Bank 40. These early performances helped him target a regular spot in the four-day team while establishing himself in white-ball roles.

Kent County Cricket Club

Sam Billings established himself as Kent County Cricket Club's primary wicket-keeper in 2014, succeeding , who left the club at the end of the 2014 season. This transition marked a significant milestone in Billings' development, allowing him to anchor the team's keeping duties across formats while contributing aggressively with the bat, particularly in limited-overs matches. His glovework and batting flair quickly became integral to Kent's setup, building on his academy roots. In January 2018, Billings was appointed as 's club captain across all formats, replacing Sam Northeast and becoming one of the youngest leaders in at age 26. Under his leadership, achieved promotion to Division One of the that September, securing an innings victory over to end an eight-year absence from the top flight. Billings played a key role as a player in 's 2017 Vitality Blast triumph—the club's first T20 title since 2007—before captaining them to another Blast victory in 2021, defeating in the final at . These successes highlighted his tactical acumen and ability to inspire in white-ball . Billings stepped down as club captain in October 2023 after six years in the role, citing a desire to focus on his batting form and performance. He retained the captaincy, with succeeding him as overall club captain. In December 2023, Billings signed a white-ball-only contract extension with until the end of the 2025 season, emphasizing his commitment to limited-overs cricket and allowing him to step away from red-ball commitments. This move aligned with his strengths and ensured continuity in 's T20 leadership. Billings continued as 's captain in 2024 and 2025, leading the team to the quarter-finals in the 2025 Vitality Blast, where they were defeated by .

International career

Limited-overs internationals

Sam Billings made his (ODI) debut for on 9 June 2015 against at , Birmingham, where he scored 3 runs as a middle-order batsman and wicketkeeper. He followed this with his (T20I) debut on 23 June 2015 against the same opposition at , , contributing 0 runs in a low-scoring encounter. These appearances came during England's home series against , marking Billings as an emerging white-ball specialist known for his aggressive strokeplay and agile keeping. In September 2021, Billings was selected in England's squad for the in the UAE, though he did not feature in any matches during the tournament. One of Billings' standout limited-overs performances came in a T20I against on 5 March 2019 at , where he scored a career-best 87 not out off 47 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, earning in England's 7-wicket victory. In ODIs, his maiden international century arrived on 11 September 2020 against at , , with 118 off 110 balls featuring 11 fours and 2 sixes, providing a vital in a chase of 295 despite England's 19-run defeat. These innings highlighted his ability to accelerate in the middle order, often batting at No. 5 or 6. As of November 2025, Billings has played 28 ODIs for , scoring 702 runs at an average of 33.42 and a of 91.06, with one century and three half-centuries. In 37 T20Is, he has accumulated 478 runs at an average of 17.07 and a of 129.9, including two half-centuries, his last T20I appearance occurring in October 2021. His contributions have been characterized by high-impact cameos rather than consistent accumulation, underscoring his utility in white-ball cricket's high-pressure scenarios.

Test matches

Sam Billings made his Test debut for England on 14 January 2022, during the fifth match of the series against Australia at in , where he served as wicket-keeper after being hastily summoned from a stint in . This appearance marked him as England's 700th Test cricketer, coming in as a replacement amid injuries and illnesses to primary keepers and , with having deputized earlier in the series. In his debut , Billings scored 29 runs from 41 balls, providing a steady contribution in England's first-innings total of 188, before adding just 1 run in the second as the team was bowled out for 68 while chasing 271. Billings' selection highlighted his role as a versatile backup option, particularly given his established white-ball expertise, though adapting to the demands of proved challenging, including prolonged sessions behind the stumps and varied pace conditions on seam-friendly pitches. He featured in only two further Tests that year: as a substitute wicket-keeper in the third match against at in June, where he effected a crucial catch to dismiss without batting, and as the starting keeper in the rescheduled fifth Test against at in July. In the encounter, Billings top-scored for in their first with 36 runs off 57 balls during a collapse to 284, helping to steady the alongside Bairstow's century, though he did not bat in the successful run chase of 378. Across his three Test appearances, Billings batted in three innings for a total of 66 runs at an average of 22.00, with a highest score of 36, while claiming five dismissals as keeper, underscoring the physical and technical adjustments required from his primary limited-overs format. His opportunities were largely circumstantial, driven by the Cricket Board's depth in wicket-keeping amid a packed schedule, but his specialization in white-ball —where he has excelled in ODIs and T20Is—has precluded further red-ball call-ups since 2022.

Franchise cricket

Indian Premier League

Sam Billings entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2016 when he was acquired by the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) at the auction for his base price of INR 30 lakhs. He made an impactful debut in the tournament, scoring an unbeaten 54 runs off 34 balls against the Kolkata Knight Riders, helping his team secure a victory and marking one of the more memorable opening outings for an overseas player that season. Over the course of five matches in 2016, Billings contributed 88 runs at a strike rate of 137.50, showcasing his aggressive middle-order batting style. Retained by the Delhi Daredevils for INR 30 lakhs ahead of the 2017 season, Billings featured in six matches, accumulating 138 runs with a highest score of 55, though the team struggled overall, finishing at the bottom of the table. His opportunities remained limited due to competition in the batting lineup, but he demonstrated reliability as a wicketkeeper-batter. Following the 2017 campaign, he entered the auction pool and was picked up by the for INR 1 in 2018. In a standout performance that year, Billings smashed 56 runs off just 23 balls—including five sixes—against the at , earning the Man of the Match award and propelling CSK to a thrilling five-wicket chase of 203, their second consecutive win after a seven-year ban. He played 10 matches in 2018, scoring 108 runs, and was retained for 2019 at INR 1 , appearing in one match for 0 runs () before limited opportunities curtailed his involvement. After a break from the IPL in 2020, Billings was bought by the Delhi Capitals for INR 2 crore ahead of the 2021 season but did not feature in any matches due to the tournament's suspension and relocation. In 2022, he joined the Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 2 crore, playing eight matches and scoring 169 runs at an average of 24.14 and a strike rate of 122.46. This campaign underscored his adaptability in the T20 format, providing explosive finishing for KKR. Billings did not feature in the IPL auctions for 2023, 2024, or 2025, opting instead to prioritize commitments in other global T20 leagues.

Other T20 leagues

Billings has captained the Oval Invincibles in England's The Hundred competition since its 2021 inception, guiding the team to three consecutive men's titles in 2023, 2024, and 2025. In the 2023 season, under his leadership, the Invincibles achieved an undefeated run through the group stage and the final, defeating by 14 runs at to claim their first championship. This success highlighted his tactical acumen, with Billings contributing key batting performances, including an unbeaten 76 off 40 balls in the eliminator against . In the Australian (BBL), Billings made his debut with the during the 2019–20 season, playing seven matches and scoring 222 runs at a of 144.08, showcasing his aggressive middle-order batting. He switched to the for the 2020–21 campaign, featuring in the knockout final where the Heat defeated the Thunder by seven wickets, though his individual contributions were limited amid a team effort led by Chris Lynn's 88 . Beyond these, Billings has appeared in other prominent T20 leagues, including the (ILT20), where he joined the for the 2023 season as a key overseas batter and later captained them to the title in 2025 after a four-wicket victory over the in the final. He has also represented teams in the (PSL) for in 2016 and 2020, scoring 62 runs across five matches, and in the (CPL) for Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in 2024, contributing 145 runs in seven matches at a of 140.78.

Career highlights

Notable performances

One of Sam Billings' standout international performances came in the first T20I against in on 26 November 2015, where he scored a rapid 53 runs off just 25 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, reaching his fifty in 24 balls—the second-fastest half-century in 's T20I history at the time. This explosive innings propelled to 160/5, setting up a 14-run victory and marking Billings' emergence as a dynamic white-ball batter. In limited-overs internationals, Billings delivered his maiden ODI century in the first match against at on 11 September 2020, remaining unbeaten on 118 from 110 balls with 14 fours and two sixes, helping recover from 57/4 to post 275/9 in pursuit of 295. Despite the 19-run defeat, this knock established a new record for the highest ODI score by an wicketkeeper, surpassing Craig Kieswetter's 116 from 2011, and highlighted Billings' resilience under pressure. On the domestic front, Billings produced a career-best of 106 not out from 58 balls, featuring 14 fours and two sixes, for against at on 7 June 2024, rescuing his side from 37/4 to 198/6 and securing a 4-wicket victory with 4 balls remaining. This blistering counterattack underscored his leadership as and propelled them toward the . In franchise cricket, Billings captained to the 2023 Hundred final with an unbeaten 76 from 40 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, in the eliminator against at on 21 August 2023, chasing down 149 with eight balls to spare after a mid-innings wobble at 107/5. His aggressive strokeplay, particularly against the spinners, was pivotal in maintaining momentum and booking a place in the title decider.

Awards and records

Sam Billings' career is marked by solid statistical achievements across cricket formats, reflecting his role as a reliable wicketkeeper-batter. As of November 2025, in , he has accumulated over 4,000 runs at an average of 32. In , he has scored more than 3,200 runs at an average of 30, and in T20 cricket, he has 7,238 runs with a of 134.
FormatMatchesRunsAverageStrike Rate
First-class100+4,000+32-
List A110+3,200+30-
T203847,23824.04134
Billings has been recognized with several awards for his contributions. He was awarded an ECB development contract in the late 2010s. At the county level, he was named Player of the Year in 2014, highlighting his standout performances for . Key records underscore Billings' impact, particularly behind the stumps and with the bat in limited-overs . His highest T20I score as an wicketkeeper stands at 87 , achieved during a match against in 2019.

Philanthropy

Support for mental health

Sam Billings has been vocal about the mental health challenges faced by cricketers, particularly during the bio-secure bubbles enforced amid the in 2020-21. Drawing from his experiences in these isolated environments, including preparations for tours and the IPL, Billings emphasized the importance of and support networks to cope with the psychological strain. He noted that while he personally managed through routines and external communication, some teammates struggled more, highlighting the need for trustworthy people to lean on and recognizing as equally critical to in professional cricket. The (ECB) supports initiatives like the Every Mind Matters campaign launched in 2019 to provide resources for players and staff. Billings' advocacy extends to public endorsements of transparency. Following the death of former coach in 2024, Billings praised Thorpe's family for their "incredible strength" in openly discussing his battles with depression and anxiety, underscoring how such disclosures can help destigmatize issues within the community.

Other causes

Beyond his efforts in mental health awareness, Sam Billings has actively supported initiatives aimed at increasing access to for underprivileged and disabled youth. As an ambassador for the , the UK's leading youth and sports charity, Billings participated in the 2017 launch of a new programme, attending events to promote inclusive opportunities for young people with disabilities. He has also contributed to the ECB-backed Chance to Shine programme, which delivers coaching to children in state schools and disadvantaged communities; in 2016, Billings led a coaching session at St Mary and St Peter's in , emphasizing the programme's goal of providing positive first experiences with the sport to inspire participation among 5- to 11-year-olds. Further involvement came in 2018, when he visited Harlands in to support the ICC Schools' educational resources, helping pupils learn skills alongside classroom activities on coordinates using fielding positions. Billings has extended his philanthropy to international cricket development for underprivileged youth through Cricket Builds Hope, a charity focused on building facilities in . In 2017, he joined a match at the opening of 'Lord's of '—a cricket ground funded by the —to raise awareness and funds, alongside players like and , highlighting 's potential as a tool for community empowerment in developing regions. In environmental advocacy, Billings demonstrated commitment to in by adopting eco-friendly batting gloves made from recycled production offcuts in 2019, produced by to reduce waste in the sport's equipment manufacturing. Although the banned the multicolored design during England's T20I tour of for violating uniform regulations, Billings' choice underscored his support for greener practices in professional gear. Billings has also engaged in direct fundraising for charitable causes, including donating his signed Vitality Blast Finals Day shirt in 2021 to the Professional Cricketers' Trust, which supports current and former players facing hardships, with the item auctioned to generate funds and awareness. During the in 2020, he participated in the 'Shave, Donate, Nominate' campaign by shaving his head to raise money for the NHS, joining a broader effort by athletes to aid frontline health services.

References

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