Sam Billings says he’s happy with his breakthrough season with Kent, seeing it as a case of ‘mission accomplished.’

The 23-year-old gloveman replaced Geraint Jones behind the stumps at the start of the LV= County Championship season and despite some struggles in 20-over cricket, made a huge impact in the Royal London One-Day Cup run, becoming the leading run-scorer in the competition.

Billings – expected to scoop the club’s Player of the Year accolade at the end of season awards night on Saturday – revealed: “It’s been a good season after a slowish start – I’m happy. When T20 started I hit a bit of a wall but it’s been good since then, the one-day comp was good for me and kick-started my Championship cricket really.”

The Pembury ace added: “I’m very happy, The aim for me was to come back from Australia last winter to be number one keeper and I managed to do that, and once I had done that to also put in match-winning performances - mission accomplished.”

Billings was coy about his chances of claiming the crown held by Darren Stevens, adding: “We’ll wait and see on Saturday. It’s obviously a massive thing and a real honour to be fair, hopefully I can make a hundred to tip it over the edge this week.”

Having been named on Wednesday in England’s 19-strong Performance Programme party for a training camp at Loughborough next month and a training camp in Sri Lanka, Billings added: “All things considered I hope it’s a really good week for me.”

Billings has also been tipped for a spot on the England Lions tour to South Africa in January.