Billings dislocated left shoulder playing for Kent in One-Day Cup
Friday 26 April 2019 15:19, UK
Ben Foakes has replaced the injured Sam Billings in England's squad for the ODI against Ireland and T20I versus Pakistan.
Billings, who had been selected for the Sky Live games with Ireland on May 3 and Pakistan two days later, dislocated his left shoulder while fielding for Kent against Glamorgan in the Royal London One-Day Cup on Thursday and is now set to be out of action for up to five months.
Surrey star Foakes has now been drafted into England's squad, with fellow wicketkeeper-batsmen Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow rested for the games at Malahide and The Ageas Bowl respectively.
Foakes has yet to make his white-ball debut for England but played five Tests over the winter, three against Sri Lanka and two against West Indies.
The 26-year-old has scored three consecutive half-centuries for Surrey in the One-Day Cup, notching 64 against Sussex, 82 against Essex and 71 against Middlesex.
Reflecting on Billings' injury and Foakes' call-up, Sky Sports Cricket's Nasser Hussain said: "It's a massive blow for Billings.
"He has carried the drinks around the world in England cricket and franchise cricket and the moment Bairstow and Buttler are rested and he gets an opportunity, he gets injured.
"But it's an opportunity for Foakes and every time we see Foakes we know he is a special talent who would probably make it into most squads of a different era."
England will play a five-match ODI series against Pakistan from Wednesday, May 8, before beginning their World Cup campaign against South Africa at The Oval on Thursday, May 30.
Watch England's ODI against Ireland, at Malahide, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.30am on Friday, May 3.
The one-off Twenty20 international with Pakistan, in Cardiff, is then live on Sky Sports Cricket from 2pm on Sunday, May 5.
You can watch every match of the Cricket World Cup on Sky Sports Cricket, starting with England vs South Africa on Thursday, May 30.
