Sam Billings wants England's hitters to follow Jos Buttler's lead
ByPA Sport
Updated 24/11/2015 at 07:45 GMT
Sam Billings will keep trying to emulate Jos Buttler - when he next has an opportunity to do so for England.
England's Jos Buttler smiles as he walks out from the pitch at the end of England's innings during the fourth One Day International (ODI) Cricket match between Pakistan and England at Dubai Sports City in the Gulf Emirate, on November 20, 2015
Image credit: AFP
Billings filled in for Buttler in front of and behind the stumps in Monday's 79-run Twenty20 warm-up victory over the United Arab Emirates at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
It was others who underpinned England's success, Jason Roy top-scoring with 59 in a total of 174 for six and Moeen Ali then grabbing four for 11 as the hosts fell well short.
Billings had to settle for just a dozen runs at number five, in his first innings since the end of last summer, as a clutch of England's Twenty20 recruits showed signs of rustiness in their first match action of the tour.
He was not required during England's 3-1 one-day international series win over Pakistan, a spectator in the dressing-room during Buttler's record-breaking 46-ball century which powered the tourists to success in Dubai three days ago.
"The bloke's a freak, to put it bluntly," Billings said of his fellow wicketkeeper.
"It was a phenomenal innings, and a pleasure to watch."
Billings nonetheless believes he, and others in the squad, have the ability to turn matches England's way too in white-ball cricket.
"We're all trying to emulate something like that on a personal level," he said.
"The pleasing thing is that I think we have numerous individuals who can make performances like that happen.
"You aspire to do things like that. You've done it at county level, so it's about emulating it at international level.
"If I get an opportunity, I'll give it 100 per cent and hope it will come off."
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