Sam Billings believes one good spring is all he needs to make England’s ICC Cricket World Cup squad despite missing out on the tour of the West Indies.

The powerful Kent wicketkeeper-batsman, who was recalled for the three-match Twenty20 series in the Caribbean this week, has been one of the victims of England’s miraculous batting strength in 50-over cricket, with Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow getting the nod in his place.

A settled unit it may be – but Billings is refusing to rule himself out of contention.

The 27-year-old will be spending the next few months with the Chennai Super Kings after fulfilling T20 duties with England, believing the opportunity to reach the squad is in his own hands.

“Hopefully I’m going to be involved. That’s a big hope for me,” said Billings.

“It’s up to me to put some performances in over the next couple of months before the final World Cup squad is announced.

“Regardless of whether I’m in it’s going to be great to be involved as a fan as well by having such a great event on home soil. It will be a great summer of cricket with the Ashes following up as well.

“Hopefully I’m going to be involved with the T20 series with the West Indies as well in the coming week.

“Then of course there is the IPL and if you look at the IPL that really is a springboard and the closest thing to international cricket there is. If I put the performances in, then I’ll be in the 15-man squad.”

Billings was speaking at a Lord’s Taverners event in Luton to help launch the ‘Cricket 4 Good’ partnership, celebrating the scale, reach and diversity of the Lord’s Taverners and showcasing the commitment of the ICC to deliver a positive cricketing and social legacy through the Cricket World Cup.

Billings’ chances of reaching the World Cup will come at the expense of playing 50-over cricket with his county, Kent, a sacrifice he believes will benefit him in the long run.

With 15 ODIs already behind him, he is far from at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to getting the nod for a premier tournament on home soil in which England enter as favourites.

But with the likes of Alex Hales joining him on the sidelines, the explosive talent knows he can’t afford a single slip-up alongside the rest of the chasing pack.

“The batting is incredibly strong. The cricket we have played over the last few years has been incredible to watch and play in,” he added.

“It’s a group mindset. There’s not only 15 guys pushing for those spots. No one is nailed on.

“There are probably 25 or 30 guys in English white ball cricket who could be in that squad.

“The competition is unbelievably healthy and brilliant for our game. Obviously, it boosts our chances even more – it’s a great thing and healthy competition with your mates basically.

“The IPL and T20 series in the West Indies are the key things - we will have to wait and see.”

The Lord’s Taverners, the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity, is an official ‘Cricket 4 Good Partner’ at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, celebrating the scale, reach and diversity of the charity’s programmes. For more information visit https://www.lordstaverners.org/