Wicketkeeper Sam Billings says while he was flattered by reported interest from other counties this summer, he wanted to stay at Kent where he feels “we have got a great thing going.”

The 23-year-old Kent player-of-the-year beat veteran Geraint Jones to the gloves this season and never looked back, establishing himself behind the stumps in all formats and proving to be a match-winner in the run to the Royal London One-Day Cup semi-finals, top scoring in the competition nationwide.

His performances were enough to earn him a call into the ECB’s England Performance Programme for a Loughborough training camp and trip to Sri Lanka next month, alongside team-mate, spinner Adam Riley.

Billings said: “It’s been an enjoyable last few months, scoring some runs and finding form.
“I was chuffed to be in the EPP. It was one of the goals I set before the season, you don’t normally want to say anything too loudly but the boys knew all the way.There’s more hard work ahead, this is just a step on the ladder.

“It’s a byproduct of good performances but it’s now that the hard work starts.
“The best bit of advice I have been given is to not change a thing, just keep doing what I’m doing, as it’s got me here in the first place.”

He added: “It’s a good opportunity to play against some sensational players and it’s a step on the right path towards higher honours.

“People see the EPP to the Lions to the main squad as the pathway but you have to perform at each different level.

“I can’t afford to look any further ahead at this stage, my focus is on the four-day camp at Loughborough. I’m taking it one step at a time, I’m not naive enough to look any further ahead.”

Speculation had linked Billings with a potential move to a Division 1 side at the end of the season but he revealed: “It’s flattering to get interest from a few people but there was never anything in it as I had already signed a new contract at Kent earlier in the season.

“I signed in June, I think it was before the run of form in the one-day started. We have got a great thing going here and a bright future.”

He added: “I wasn’t consciously worrying about my contract situation but after I had signed maybe it had a subconscious impact as my form improved. I was grateful for the
opportunity. “I am focused on pushing myself to the next level. I am not where I want to be yet.”