Sam Billings says he will take confidence from his Spitfires half-century which he hopes will help him get over his early-season struggles.

Billings scored just 23 runs in the opening four Yorkshire Bank 40 matches this season and was left out of the side for the trip to Sussex and the win over the Netherlands.

However, with Rob Key sidelined through injury, the 21-year-old was back in the fray for the visit of the Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Sunday, top scoring with a measured 57 before being bowled by Lee Daggett.

Billings admitted: “It was good to get an opportunity and nice to get some time in the middle. It was a good wicket and I had a bit of confidence coming in from the twos. It was a case of trying to dig in and get a start.

“I’m getting there. There’s plenty to work on and I must keep going. It’s a work in progress.”

He added: “When anyone’s struggling for runs you’re going to be struggling in terms of confidence. I’ve struggled early season and it’s a matter of trying to find form and get confidence under your belt. It’s a matter of time in the middle."