Kent Spitfires’ T20 Blast skipper Sam Billings has committed his future to the county.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Billings, who was out of contract at the end of their 2025 season, has signed a two-year extension.
He is one match away from 300 appearances for the county after he graduated from their Academy in 2011.
“I’m really pleased to extend my Kent contract,” said Pembury-born Billings. “Kent is – and always will be – home.
“While last year was gutting, we were so close to reaching another Finals Day (losing their quarter-final to Lancashire by three wickets).
“Collectively, we have absolute clarity on what is required to continue to progress as a white-ball team. The blend of experience and exciting young players means we should be really positive moving forward.
“I’m looking forward to a great couple of years and, hopefully, more silverware.”
Billings captained Spitfires to the Vitality Blast title in 2021 and added to his trophy collection in 2025, captaining Dubai Capitals to their first International League T20 title in February and led Oval Invincibles to a third straight men’s trophy at The Hundred competition.
Across his stellar limited-overs career, he has won the Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League, too.
The 34-year-old first became Kent captain in 2018 as he replaced Sam Northeast who, ironically, rejoins the county ahead of their 2026 campaign.
He made his Test debut for England in Australia in January 2022 as England suffered a 4-0 defeat against their hosts before he earned further Test caps against New Zealand and India.
Billings stood down as Kent’s red-ball captain at the conclusion of their 2023 summer but became only their second-ever white-ball contracted player – following in the footsteps of Alex Blake – that December.
Most recently, he scored a mere 33 runs for Aspin Stallions, albeit was dismissed just once in five innings, on their run to the Abu Dhabi T10 final where they suffered an 80-run loss to UAE Bulls in late November.
Kent director of cricket Simon Cook added: “Sam’s leadership, on and off the field, is a huge asset for the club, as well as his proven international quality in T20 cricket.
“We’re extremely pleased that he has committed to his boyhood club again as we work towards our ethos of being competitive in all formats with a squad comprised mainly of Kent-produced talent.
“As well as his hard work and dedication on the field, many people don’t see what he does behind the scenes and in the off-season to help keep us as competitive as we can be – whether that be mentoring younger players, identifying new talent, sharing learning from his experiences around the world or helping us put into place programmes to help us produce the next generation of Kent cricketers.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with him again over the next two years and beyond to continue to move the club forward.”
Billings has also played 37 international T20s and 28 One-Day Internationals, alongside three Test matches.
