Sam Billings: English wicket-keeper on IPL and busy schedule

England start a three-match international series (ODI) on Thursday against Australia, four days after winning the T20 World Cup final.
Billings, 31, who was not part of the World Cup squad, is withdrawn from the Indian Premier League to focus on the County Championship with Kent.
"I had 18 months on the road until this year," said the batter-wicket-keeper.
"By the time I got home I was completely exhausted."< /p>
Ben Foakes is the first-choice wicketkeeper on the Test side, but Billings wants to put himself in the selectors' minds if an opportunity arises - and that meant sacrificing an IPL contract.
"I think something had to give, so I'm not going to the IPL. It gives me the best chance of playing cricket for four days until early summer."
Billings' comments follow the English all-rounder Moeen Ali, who played in the World Cup final and is part of the ODI squad, describing the fixture list as "awful".
Australian Testing and ODI captain Pat Cummins has also retired from the IPL in order to rest ahead of the Ashes and the World Cup in 2023.
England Tests captain Ben Stokes retired from ODIs this summer because he felt unable to give the best of himself for his country by playing in all three formats.< /p>
"Stokes is the best example. If that's not a wake-up call for whoever is managing the schedule, it really should be because your bigger players need to prioritize playing for England and get some more order." Billings said.
He also backed Somerset youngster Will Smeed, who signed a ball deal white only with the county having never played a first class game.

Smeed reached the first century in The Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix and is well positioned to win franchise deals around the world.
" Will Smeed made a very smart decision. His game revolves around white ball cricket," said Billings, who was to be part of the 2023 Kolkata Knight Riders IPL squad.
"It's so individual and shouldn't be talked about.
"Unless something drastically changes, I think it's becoming more and more common - more so internationally.
"The schedule does not allow readers of all formats to advance."

Sports Nov 17, 2022 0 61 Add to Reading List

Sam Billings: English wicket-keeper on IPL and busy schedule

England start a three-match international series (ODI) on Thursday against Australia, four days after winning the T20 World Cup final.

Billings, 31, who was not part of the World Cup squad, is withdrawn from the Indian Premier League to focus on the County Championship with Kent.

"I had 18 months on the road until this year," said the batter-wicket-keeper.

"By the time I got home I was completely exhausted."< /p>

Ben Foakes is the first-choice wicketkeeper on the Test side, but Billings wants to put himself in the selectors' minds if an opportunity arises - and that meant sacrificing an IPL contract.

"I think something had to give, so I'm not going to the IPL. It gives me the best chance of playing cricket for four days until early summer."

Billings' comments follow the English all-rounder Moeen Ali, who played in the World Cup final and is part of the ODI squad, describing the fixture list as "awful".

Australian Testing and ODI captain Pat Cummins has also retired from the IPL in order to rest ahead of the Ashes and the World Cup in 2023.

England Tests captain Ben Stokes retired from ODIs this summer because he felt unable to give the best of himself for his country by playing in all three formats.< /p>

"Stokes is the best example. If that's not a wake-up call for whoever is managing the schedule, it really should be because your bigger players need to prioritize playing for England and get some more order." Billings said.

He also backed Somerset youngster Will Smeed, who signed a ball deal white only with the county having never played a first class game.

Smeed reached the first century in The Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix and is well positioned to win franchise deals around the world.

" Will Smeed made a very smart decision. His game revolves around white ball cricket," said Billings, who was to be part of the 2023 Kolkata Knight Riders IPL squad.

"It's so individual and shouldn't be talked about.

"Unless something drastically changes, I think it's becoming more and more common - more so internationally.

"The schedule does not allow readers of all formats to advance."