Sam Billings leans on realism after battling Australia’s sledging to hit maiden England century

The Australians did not mind reminding Sam Billings that they were winning this first ODI and that he was struggling.

Having arrived with England 57 for four in pursuit of a target of 295, Billings failed to effectively combat an accomplished bowling display. At one point 11 off 32 at the end of the 26th over. “They reminded me (of his score) pretty consistently,” revealed Billings.

Those fielders were not wrong. Australia went on to seal victory by 19 runs to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. But Billings remained right to the end with 118 off 110 deliveries. And though it was in vain, there were moments amid a partnership of 113 with Jonny Bairstow that those talking in the outfield became ever so slightly wary they might have to eat their words.

Ultimately, though, Aaron Finch’s side were comfortable victors, though player-of-the-match Josh Hazlewood, with three for 26 from his 10 overs, credited Billings for a knock that made them think twice. Billings recognised as much, though did cede the shift in mentality was nothing dramatic: “They went from ‘the game’s won’ to ‘actually, they might have a little bit of a sniff’.”

But perhaps the biggest shift came in his mind. Five years after making his ODI debut, Billings finally has a century in the format - his first in all internationals.

“It would have been nice to get the lads across the line, especially against Australia,” he said on Saturday, ahead of the second ODI on Sunday. “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 and stake a claim.

“Ben Stokes isn’t here and I don’t think, however many runs I get, that I’ll keep that spot. That’s all I can do.”

This sense of realism is nothing new from Billings. He has always been a cricketer who backs himself while acknowledging the depth of limited overs batting in England has never been greater. And greater appreciation of professional sport’s unknowable whims came with the gut punch of a badly dislocated shoulder at the start of the 2019 summer that robbed him of three months of the season including the chance to make the 50-over World Cup squad.

Had he been fit, it is more than likely he would have replaced Alex Hales in the final 15 after the Nottinghamshire opener was dropped for failing a drugs test. Therefore it is also likely that Billings, one of the best fielders in the squad, would have been on the field during the final’s Super Over against New Zealand. James Vince was the man to replace Mark Wood for those final six deliveries, while also filling in at the top of the order for three games after Jason Roy was ruled out through injury.

But there was no bitterness. Billings was there at Lord’s to watch his teammates lift the trophy and even joined them in the changing room for the late-night celebrations. And he used the miss as fuel to put his efforts into making the squad for the next T20 World Cup (2021) and for England’s 50-over defence in 2023, both taking place in India.

“It gave me time to collect my thoughts on my game and where I really need to improve,” said Billings. “There are some slight technical differences I’ve changed and have definitely helped me gain that consistency.

“I’ve worked a lot on a few things to really tighten it up, and I definitely think maybe a couple of years ago hitting Mitchell Starc down the ground at 90mph, it wouldn’t have been something that I would have necessarily been as confident consistently doing.”

“Consistently” is the keyword, here. Though Billings made his international debut in July 2015, there have only been 19 ODI appearances so far, and just 43 innings across both international white-ball formats.

Even Joe Root joked on Friday night that the number of games he has played is more in line with the CV of a 26-year old than a 29-year old. Billings agreed, and even brought up the example of Dan Lawrence, the talented Essex batsman, who, at 23, has 73 first-class appearances compared to Billings’ 70, despite a four-year head start from his debut for Kent. As it happens, Test cricket still remains a longer-term goal, especially doubling his first-class hundreds last year with three in the 2019 County Championship.

The uniqueness of this summer and the need for two separate squads because of strict Covid-19 regulations around bio-secure environments at the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford has meant more certainty for Billings. He now boasts an average of 125 this summer with this century and a half against Ireland in July.

Should he feature in the remaining two ODIs - more than likely now - it will be the most appearances he has made in the format in an English summer. The four so far in 2020 have contributed 250 of his 521 career runs. In a period when all facets of life seem to be standing still, Billings is making progress.

“In the past, when they have, I’ve put too much pressure on myself. For me, that was the difference yesterday. I probably would have done something stupid and chip up in the air. Maybe a little more experience, a little more confidence in my ability at this level I can soak up that pressure. I definitely wasn’t at my most fluent but instead of trying to force the issue and giving away an opportunity, I managed to kick on. All I can do is put performances in.”

The news from the Australia camp is that Steve Smith looks set to return to the XI. Smith missed the first match as a precaution after being hit on the head during a net session the day before. He passed an official concussion assessment on Friday and again on Saturday morning.

There may also be an enforced change to the bowling attack after left-arm Mitchell Starc reported soreness in his upper leg after slipping in the outfield. Finch and the Australia management team will give him every opportunity to recover in time for Sunday.