Southampton, Aug 1 (UNI) England batsman Sam Billings says his IPL experience will help him play for the upcoming two World Cups in India.
Billings was included in the the team instead of Joe Denly, following a back injury. Billings not out 67 helped England beat Ireland by six wickets in the first ODI on Thursday.
India is scheduled to host the T20 World Cup in 2021 and the 50-over World Cup in 2023.
"I think that's definitely something that I can potentially offer compared to other players. My game against spin has benefited from all the different franchises I have experienced, particularly the IPL, Billings who represented Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, told SkySports.
"I have had relative success on turning pitches in Chennai and Delhi. I back my game against spin and it's something I have to continue to work hard on.In the one-day format or the longer format, the subcontinent is somewhere I think I can do well. The longer format is one I want to push my case in if I get the opportunity."
"In a nutshell, my career hit a heavy speed bump last year [with the injury] so for me it's about building that momentum back up," Billings said after striking his third ODI fifty in his first match in the format in over two years.
"It's been very up down [with England], I suppose, over the last five years. I played five ODIs against New Zealand straight after the last World Cup in 2015 and then 10 since then and July 2018.
"The opportunities have been sporadic but England's ODI side is arguably one of the toughest sports teams to get into at the moment so all I can do is take my opportunities when they arise."
Billings lifted England from 78-4 and to their target of 173 with more than 22 overs remaining after sharing an unbroken partnership of 96 with captain Eoin Morgan.
“I have (done well in middle order) consistently over the last five years … so it’s a role I enjoy. It’s a very tough role. You have to be very adept. You can come in three or four down very early on and steady the ship or you can come in for the last five overs and everyone expects you to get 40 off 10 balls,” Billings added.
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