England wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings has made his intentions clear to play Test cricket for his country, saying he doesn't want to be "pigeon-holed as a white-ball cricketer" but want to play all formats of the game.
The right-hander said wearing whites for England is “a big goal of mine” – an ambition that took a backseat when he decided to play in the Indian Premier League early in his career.
The 28-year-old is yet to earn Test call but has featured in 15 ODIs and 26 T20Is so far before a shoulder injury ruined his chances to be a part of the Lions’ historic victory in World Cup last year. Later, he was left with just a handful of matches for Kent in the T20 Blast and the Championship last year.
Billings told ESPNcricinfo, “That is definitely a big turning point in my mindset, and my career, I suppose. I want to play Test cricket. That is a big goal of mine. There's no one else to blame apart from me really for that (white-ball typecasting).”
He further added, “I think there are opportunities in the Test team as well, especially as a batter and also in the wicket-keeping position. I find that really exciting. I don't want to just be pigeon-holed as a white-ball player. I'm better than that.”
On mindset after the IPL stints, the Englishman said: “I played four IPLs and you're not going to turn down an opportunity like that as a young player in terms of a chance to develop – especially as there was no financial gain in the first two years.
For me, I saw it purely as an opportunity as I went for the base price to Delhi (Rs 30 lakh in 2016). Obviously four-day cricket had to take a back seat at that point in time and I just didn't play anywhere near enough cricket. That's where my mindset has changed a little bit.”
After returning to action, Billings managed just 34 runs in five T20 innings resulting in he was dropped from England’s white-ball squads for South Africa tour early this year.
Later, he decided to not put his name forward for any T20 franchise to focus on the English domestic season that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to make an international comeback.
Billings signed off by saying, “The back end of last year proved to myself more than anyone that I can be more than just an average first-class cricketer or quite a good first-class cricketer. That can be as strong a format as any. But it was only when I really proved it to myself last year that that came back to the forefront of my mind,”
(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)
