Sam Billings replaces Craig Kieswetter in England's provisional World Cup squad
Friday 12 December 2014 11:10, UK
Sam Billings has replaced Craig Kieswetter in England's provisional World Cup squad.
Kent's uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman is included in a group of 30 which will be cut to a final 15-man squad in early January.
Kieswetter was this week ruled out long-term - almost certainly for the whole of 2015 - as he continues his recovery from a serious eye injury.
Uncapped Billings, who entered the spotlight last season with a series of explosive one-day innings, joins fellow wicketkeepers Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow in England's 30.
The 23-year-old was immediately backed by Kieswetter, who wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations to Sam Billings for being called up to the 30-man World Cup squad. A seriously talented player - future star."
And Billings' Kent captain Rob Key told Sky Sports News HQ: "He's obviously a very good player, and last year was a breakout year for him.
"He was understudy to Geraint Jones for a long time. He used to open the batting in one-day cricket, and we put him down to six or seven.
"In the 50-over Royal London Cup in his first real innings he came in in the 34th over and got 150 in about 80 balls. It's probably one of the best innings I've seen live.
"He's a real new breed of cricketer - he was hitting balls right-handed and then turning round to people like (Somerset fast bowler) Alfonso Thomas and pulling them left-handed for six. A real talent - you get excited about how far he can go.
"He was a real 'finisher' for us at six or seven, where you can come in needing six an over to win or 15 an over to win. He's got both of those qualities and he will add to that England team."
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