Sam Billings signs white-ball only deal with Kent, wants to pursue overseas contracts

The 32-year-old, who has scored over 2,500 runs in 127 T20 Blast appearances for Kent, will remain with the county until at least the end of 2025

Sam Billings has signed a white-ball only contract with Kent after struggling with the challenge of "juggling all formats".

The 32-year-old will remain with the county until at least the end of 2025 while also pursuing limited overs contracts overseas.

Billings has played 76 first-class matches for Kent, scoring 3,062 runs at 31.24, but appearances have become increasingly infrequent in recent seasons due to his franchise and England commitments.

He hasn't featured in the County Championship since May 2023 and stepped down as red-ball captain in June.

However, the wicketkeeper remains a key figure in the T20 Blast side, amassing 2,502 runs in 127 appearances, and has also scored 1,606 runs in 55 List A appearances.

^{Billings has signed a white-ball only deal [Alex Pantling/Getty Images]}

^{Billings wants to pursue contracts overseas [Russell Freeman/Getty Images]}

Billings is currently representing Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash and has a contract with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 lined up for January.

"I'm delighted to remain a Kent cricketer for the foreseeable future," Billings said. "In an ever-changing landscape of our sport, I've tried juggling all formats for some time and have found it very challenging personally on and off the field.

"With the addition of a child on the way it feels like the right time to try and find more balance so I can perform at my best whenever I pull on the Kent shirt.

"I'm thrilled to be the Kent Spitfires' T20 captain and I'm looking forward to focussing on that format in 2024 and beyond."

Director of cricket, Simon Cook, added: "This new agreement reflects a mutual commitment from both Kent cricket and Sam to navigate a fast-changing cricketing world.

"He is a well-travelled and well-respected player that has spent a lot of time overseas, winning the biggest prizes in T20 cricket, and building relationships with players who have in-turn become Kent Spitfires off the back of his off-field work.

"Sam is an outstanding white-ball cricketer and we're extremely pleased that he will be a Spitfire for at least another two seasons."

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