Kent Spitfires captain Sam Billings has stated he’s available to play four-day cricket for the county – but only in an emergency.
A poor run of form at the start of last summer saw Billings step away from County Championship action with Kent, before the captaincy was handed to Daniel Bell-Drummond in the close season.
The 33-year-old is on a white-ball only contract with the Spitfires and is not expecting to feature when Kent return to four-day action against Lancashire on Sunday at Canterbury.
“As I’ve said to Daniel, if I’m needed, I’ve not shut that door totally,” stated Billings, who has been in sparkling T20 form with 300 runs in eight games at an average of 37.50 and a strike rate in excess of 155.
“I would never say no to help out. Right now, as my form has shown in this format of the game, I’m playing as well as I ever have done in a Kent shirt for a long time, enjoying my cricket regardless of results.
“It was always a decision based on my own family life and personal life. I will never say no but I think there are other guys who are champing at the bit to take that opportunity and they deserve it.”
General discussions have taken place with Bell-Drummond but nothing specific ahead of Sunday’s clash with Lancashire, despite an injury list that now includes Joe Denly along with broken-hand victim Jack Leaning.
“It’s been a general discussion, if Harry Finch was to break his finger or something was to happen to him, then I would happily step in, of course, instead of maybe going to the loan market,” said Billings.
“For me, as I’ve always said, 14 games of championship cricket is something that doesn’t fit in right now and that’s why I made that decision initially.
“But if needed, I will absolutely help out. At this point in time, that’s not the case.”
There will be some members of the Kent squad required to switch formats quickly from Friday night to Sunday morning as the county season shifts back to four-day cricket for a fortnight after the first block of T20 matches.
They have Billings’ sympathy as he added: “It’s brutal. That’s the toughest thing about cricket, you’ve kind of got two sports in one, T20 and four-day cricket
“It’s tough, it’s a mindset especially if you’re struggling for a bit of form. Four-day cricket really exposes your foundation skills because it’s about just repeatability and consistency.
“I saw something about golfers now where they’re stopping practising on game day. I’ve started doing it for the last year, I don’t hit a ball on game day – I used to do it so much – because if you’re trying to practice and find something on the day, it’s way too late.
“Just rest up and get the body as best as possible and refresh, and try and get that mind really clear and focused for Sunday. I think that’s the best thing to do.”
