Brimming with confidence after his maiden ODI ton, Sam Billings is hopeful of making up for lost time and represent England in ICC tournaments.
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Billings scored a magnificent 118 in England's 19-run defeat to Australia in the first of three ICC Super League ODIs in Manchester on Friday (September 11).
Such has been England's strength in white-ball cricket that this was Billings' only 19th appearance in the 50-over format in a five-year international career. The 29-year-old Kent batsman still could have been a part of England's triumphant World Cup squad last year had he not dislocated a shoulder at the start of the season.
But with two T20 World Cups and the 50-over World Cup coming up between now and 2023, Billings is optimistic about lifting the major international trophies.
"The injury last year was easily the toughest of my career — missing out potentially on the World Cup squad and that whole experience," Billings told a conference call on Saturday (September 12).
"There's three more World Cups coming up, the lads are very keen to add to that one last year and I really want to be part of it," he added.
Chasing 295 to win, England were left reeling at 57/4 before Billings and Jonny Bairstow (84) shared a 113-run stand for the fifth wicket to bring the hosts back in the contest.
"I think I've kind of threatened to get a score of substance for quite a while and it's just nice to kick on and get a big score," Sam Billings said.
"You never know when the opportunities arise. In the past, when they have, I've put too much pressure on myself and for me, that was the difference yesterday.
"Instead of trying to force the issue and giving away an opportunity I managed to kick on.
"You could just see the change a little bit — they (Australia) went from 'the game's won' to 'actually, right they might just have a little bit of a sniff'."
If premier all-rounder Ben Stokes wasn't in New Zealand to see his ailing father, Billings may not have featured in the playing XI this series.
It is something he is also mindful of, but hopes that he will find another position in the line-up.
"Ben Stokes isn't here and I don't think, however many runs I get, that I'll keep that spot," Billings said.
"Form and injury — as I found out the hard way last year — can happen. As long as you are putting yourself in the right position to be the next cab off the rank, that's all you can do," he concluded.
(With AFP inputs)
