Sam Billings has been named England’s vice-captain for their five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which gets underway next month.
Billings will serve as Eoin Morgan’s deputy in a series which will mark his return to international cricket, having last played for England in their T20I series against West Indies in March this year.
Despite a Player-of-the-Match performance in the second T20I of that series – Billings struck 87 from 47 balls – the Kent wicketkeeper’s chances of being included in England’s 50-over World Cup squad were ruined after he dislocated his shoulder in a Royal London One-Day Cup match against Glamorgan in April.
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Billings made his return to first-team cricket for Kent in August and finished the season by doubling his tally of first-class tons, striking 100, 138 and 122 not out in consecutive innings.
With 21 T20I caps to his name, Billings is one of the more experienced members of England’s squad for the series. The 15-man squad features five uncapped players: Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson, Lewis Gregory, Tom Banton and Pat Brown.
The first T20I will take place in Christchurch on November 1.
