Sam Billings joins Sydney Thunder for Big Bash

The Kent captain’s arrival will be delayed, however, after he was named in England’s T20I and ODI squads for their tour of South Africa

Sam Billings has joined Sydney Thunder as the club’s third overseas player ahead of their Big Bash campaign.

The England wicketkeeper-batsman joins compatriot Alex Hales and New Zealander seamer Adam Milne, with new league regulations allowing all three to take the field together.

Billings, who has previously represented cross-city rivals Sydney Sixers, recorded his first ODI century against Australia during the English summer, making 118 against a bowling attack featuring Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

The Kent captain’s arrival will be delayed, however, after he was named in England’s T20I and ODI squads for their tour of South Africa.

He said: “Coming to the Big Bash after [batting consistently] against Australia’s finest is a big confidence booster. You don’t take anything for granted, but to have that behind you definitely helps. It was something I was very proud of, and it’s definitely one of my best summers of cricket.”

Billings follows England internationals Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Chris Jordan, Matt Prior, Jason Roy, James Vince, Chris Woakes and Craig Kieswetter in representing Thunder.

England announce squads for South Africa tour

He added: “It’s a fantastic tournament. It’s the Australian game, really, because everyone loves it. To be a part of a tournament that grips the country is amazing.

“Now that I’m experienced in T20, my aim is to add huge value to the team and propel it to great things this year. We have a great chance of pressuring for the title.”

Head coach Shane Bond, with whom Billings has worked in the past, explained: “It’s not easy to get someone who wants to be a middle order batter, but he wants to do that for us. And I know he wants to continue to do that role for England - and that offers so much to our team.

“We’re delighted to have Sam. When you put a squad together you look for the playing quality of the person you’re signing, but you also want players who’ll also bring something to the group, including good company.

“Sam is first and foremost an outstanding cricketer, but his reputation as a good bloke precedes him no matter where he goes. I’ve known him for quite a while and he’s everything you want: a quality player and quality person.”