Sam Billings has been plucked from the BBL and could make a remarkable Test debut as England’s wicketkeeper in Hobart.
Billings has been added to England’s Test squad as cover.
The keeper-batter has just finished a stint with Sydney Thunder and was slated to fly home on Friday night ahead of a Twenty20 tour of the West Indies.
But injuries to Jos Buttler (hand) and Jonny Bairstow (thumb) have raised questions as to whether either keeper will be fit enough to take the gloves in the series finale.
Billings has played 58 white-ball matches for England but is yet to play a Test.
???????? pic.twitter.com/gRmuF8Ge2K
— Kent Cricket (@KentCricket) January 7, 2022
He will join England’s squad in Sydney after a period of isolation in the team hotel, and receiving a negative PCR test result.
Bairstow, speaking after play on Friday, was unsure about the extent of his thumb injury and whether he would be able to take the gloves if asked.
“I’ll know more information tomorrow. I’m not sure about the keeping side of things anyway,” he said.
“I don’t know.
“But from a batting point of view, I’ll be out there in the morning.”
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
While a premature retirement isn’t the solution, he or England want, he may be forced into it if he can’t maintain a long run of matches.
England's chances of retaining the Twenty20 World Cup have been hit for six with the news Ben Stokes has opted out of selection for…
Bazball was developed as a strategy devised to use the resources efficiently rather than revolutionize the system.
England's tour of India has ended in abject fashion as the tourists were hammered by an innings and 64 runs inside three days, with…
India have bowled England out for a below-par 218 and cruised to 1-135 in reply to seize early control of the fifth and final…
India have accomplished a nervy run-chase to secure a five-wicket victory against England in the fourth cricket Test in Ranchi. Chasing a modest 192…
