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.
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.”
Paul
Roar Guru
So going from the BBL to a pink ball Test in Hobart? If he gets a start, I hope he goes well but it's going to be a helluva step up.