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33 minutes ago
Sam Billings says he would “jump at an opportunity” to become England’s next white-ball captain.
Billings has not played for England since 2022, but neither head coach Brendon McCullum nor director of cricket Rob Key have ruled out the possibility of the next captain coming from outside the current squad.
The 33-year-old is an experienced white-ball captain. Billings led Oval Invincibles to win The Hundred in each of the past two seasons and won the ILT20 in the UAE with Dubai Capitals in February.
“I’ve not had a conversation with anyone, but from a leadership point of view I’ve loved the time over the past few years where I’ve had some really good success,” Billings told BBC Sport.
Test captain Ben Stokes and white-ball vice-captain Harry Brook are the most likely candidates to succeed Jos Buttler, who stepped down after England lost every game at the Champions Trophy.
But Key, a former county team-mate of Billings at Kent, said “nothing is off the table” and England will look at “every single option”.
Billings has played three Tests, 28 one-day internationals and 37 T20s for England, but none since November 2022. He was touted by some as a potential replacement for Joe Root as Test captain earlier the same year, prior to Stokes being given the job.
Asked about now being linked to the white-ball captaincy, Billings said: “I’d be honoured, you would obviously jump at an opportunity like that. I feel like I can add value.”
Billings was speaking at the draft for the upcoming season of The Hundred, where former Australia opener David Warner was signed by London Spirit. Billings and Warner were part of the Sydney Thunder team that reached the final of Australia’s Big Bash in January.
Aside from the captaincy, wicketkeeper Billings also said any rebuild of the England white-ball team is an “opportunity” for players trying to force their way into the international set-up.
“The talent in domestic cricket in this country is always there, certainly in white-ball cricket,” said Billings. “You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. It will just be a tweak here or there, picking a really nice, balanced side.
“It should provide great opportunity for all of us in England. If you’re going to stick your hand up and perform well, there are opportunities up for grabs, or there should be, in those formats. As a player, I’m looking at that thinking ‘why not, let’s try to get back in that side’.”
Stokes emerged as a candidate, possibly as one-day captain alongside Brook as T20 skipper, after Key said on Thursday England would be “stupid” not to consider the all-rounder.
In terms of leadership, Stokes would appear to be the ideal fit, given his role in revitalising England’s Test side.
But his fitness record is patchy – the 33-year-old had knee surgery at the end of 2023 and is recovering from a hamstring operation. Stokes has not played white-ball cricket for England in 18 months and any addition to his workload would have to be carefully considered in a year when England face five home Tests against India before an Ashes tour of Australia.
And Billings said Stokes’ “priority” should continue to be Test cricket.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Ben Stokes,” added Billings. “There’s no better man in terms of captaincy and as an all-round cricketer.
“But his priority is the Ashes and the five-Test series against India.”
“He is probably in the position where he can answer where his body can take him. Harry Brook is another one who fits similar criteria. You’ve got to balance it out. Playing all formats for England has never been tougher.”
