A re-energised Sam Billings is being backed to return to his best for Kent Spitfires this summer.
Billings will continue to skipper Kent in the T20 Blast despite being replaced as club captain by batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond at the end of last season.
While things didn’t work out as planned in red-ball cricket for Billings in 2023, he still enjoys a fantastic short-form record.
A T20 Blast winner with Spitfires in 2021, wicketkeeper-batsman Billings helped Lahore Qalandars win the 2023 Pakistan Super League title and was part of the Brisbane Heat squad crowned Big Bash League champions in Australia earlier this year.
He didn’t play in the Final as he headed off to captain Dubai Capitals to the ILT20 Final. Billings top-scored with 40 off 29 balls but his team lost to MI Emirates by 45 runs.
Kent head coach Matt Walker hopes Pembury-born Billings can get back to his best, as he focuses on short-form cricket after penning a white-ball contract last December.
“Stepping down from those two roles (as Kent red-ball skipper and club captain) is a big step down,” admitted Walker.
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“It takes a lot of character and honesty to realise it’s time to move on. Sam’s very proud to have been club captain.
“Stepping away from that is not always easy but I think he realised he needed it, not only for himself, but he probably felt it was the right time for the club. He’s done a fantastic job.
“His career is probably a bit different to most in terms of what he does. But he’s been a great ambassador for the club in that role and will continue to do it as the T20 captain and still as a senior player – and an ex-captain – of the county. He’s still a very important part of this team.
“It will re-energise him and that’s the key thing.
“At this stage of his career, it’s a good opportunity to really focus on what he wants, and what’s best for the team and best for him.”
Billings stood down as Kent’s red-ball skipper last June after he endured a miserable 2023 in Division 1 of the County Championship when he scored just 92 runs in 10 innings with a top score of 31.
Walker added: “He’s 32 and has played a lot of T20 cricket.
“He hasn’t played a lot of Championship cricket and has struggled when he has come back into that form – understandably because it’s hard to do.
“It’s hard to just walk back into Championship cricket, especially Division 1 cricket, and be successful. He wants to be successful.
“I would much rather have him revitalised and re-energised for that T20 period when he can really throw all his passion and energy into that competition – without any hangover from Championship cricket – and, in theory, it should be a very successful little set-up.
“I think it’s important for any player to be enjoying their cricket.
“Just because you’re a professional cricketer, and it sounds lovely, it has its challenges – like most jobs – and, if you are having some struggles, it’s not going to be easy for anybody.
“I think it’s important that Sam finds that energy, so he can really throw all his energy into it to be successful for the county and himself.”
Spitfires are due to start their T20 Blast season against Middlesex at Essex’s Chelmsford ground on Friday, May 31, as Lord’s is unavailable on that date.
