Sam Billings determined to cement England place: "I think everyone knows how I can play at this level"

After hitting a maiden international century in the first ODI against Australia, the Kent man is keen to make-up for lost time

• Hazlewood and Zampa bamboozle England as Roy shows ring rust... PLAYER RATINGS

• World champions demise and Warner's troubles... ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA TALKING POINTS

Sam Billings hopes a truncated international career is coming to an end after hitting his maiden England century in the first one-day international against Australia at Emirates Old Trafford.

The Kent wicket-keeper-batsman scored a career-best 118 from 110 deliveries, though the hosts were on the wrong end of a 19-run defeat.

Billings has endured a stop-start England career since his debut against New Zealand in June 2015. He has played 49 times across both white-ball formats but has never been able to establish himself. David Willey, Alex Hales, and Liam Plunkett have all played more during the same period.

The nadir of that spell was the dislocated shoulder which ruled Billings out of World Cup contention and much of the 2019 domestic season.

Opportunities have scarcely been better in franchise competitions, for which the 29-year-old regular enters but only sporadically features. Billings has made 10 outings in two Pakistan Super League campaigns, 22 across four seasons in the Indian Premier League, 11 in two Big Bash outings, and 14 in the T10 League.

But after a character-building knock in Manchester, Billings feels a broken career could finally be coming to an end.

“It is a pretty tough team to get into at the moment: let's be pretty clear about that,” he told the media.

Australia clinch first ODI as England fall short

“The white-ball batting depth at the moment in this country is pretty phenomenal so in that respect of course it is frustrating when you're not playing. 

“Whether it is for England or various other competitions around the world, you want to be playing cricket. 

“At times I can't fault anyone else but myself. I've been starved of cricket especially in the franchise leagues. 

“Obviously the injury last year was easily the toughest of my career, missing out potentially on the World Cup squad and that whole experience. 

“That was tough to go through but in a weird kind of way it was a real positive thing. It gave me time to collect my thoughts on my game and where I need to improve. 

“The consistency element is the key thing for me. I think everyone knows how I can play at this level.”

The separate red and white-ball bubbles and the preference that players don't switch between the two means Billings has been a near ever-present for England's limited-overs squad this summer, playing in eight of their 10 matches.

^{Before his century, Billings' 87 in the Caribbean was his most significant international knock}

He played a key role in the 2-1 series win over Ireland and following a quiet run in the T20s has wasted little time upon the return of the 50-over game to reassert himself.

Prior to the knock at Old Trafford, Billings' most significant innings for his country came in the West Indies last year, when a stunning 87 from 47 balls inspired victory at Warner Park.

“That St Kitts innings was as good as any innings actually,” said Billings, who averages 58.60 this summer. “Obviously we won the game which was far better. 

“Against the Australians, a big side and a very good attack last night was hugely enjoyable. I know I can play like that and I can play better than that. 

“In the past when I've not played as fluently as normal I've not always got the runs to back it up. At the end of the day, it is about becoming a run-scorer rather than flamboyant. 

“You always want to play and putting in consistent performances for the team and I think with age that's something I'm starting to gain, a bit of batsmanship.”

For unrivalled coverage of the county season, subscribe to The Cricketer and receive 3 issues for £5