Sam Billings says England ODI win can set tone for the Ashes

June 23, 2015 in Sports

SamBillings-1England v New Zealand T20

Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester Dates: 23 June

Coverage: Live ball-by-ball coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra from 18:15 BST. Live text commentary online, tablets, mobiles and app.

England’s 3-2 one-day series win over New Zealand can set the tone for an exciting Ashes summer, according to batsman Sam Billings.

After a disastrous World Cup, England won their five-game series against the Black Caps and close the tour with a Twenty20 at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

The five-Test Ashes series against Australia in England starts on 8 July.

“Hopefully the vibe can be taken forward into the Ashes and the one-day series,” said Billings, 24.

“It is a great start but only a start,” he added.

England set a number of records during the series win and particularly impressed with the bat – scoring their highest-ever ODI in one game (408-9) and recording their best run-chase (350-3) in another.
Ashes Tests

First Test: Cardiff – 8-12 July

Second Test: Lord’s – 16-20 July

Third Test: Edgbaston – 29 July – 2 August

Fourth Test: Trent Bridge – 6-10 August

Fifth Test: The Oval – 20-24 August

Kent’s Billings, who was in his maiden one-day series for England, said: “It has been a phenomenal experience and one that I will remember for the rest of my life. It is a childhood dream and it’s what you get up every day for. It has been fun, a great two weeks.

“Hopefully it has generated a bit of interest around the country and got people behind the England cricket team going into the Ashes, which can only be a good thing.

Meanwhile, New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill is hoping to end a memorable tour of England on a high on Tuesday.
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“The cricket both teams have played has been about excitement and confidence so I don’t see there being any change on Tuesday night,” he said.

“It’s been a pretty amazing one-day series and unfortunately we came out on the wrong side but the guys are still pretty confident and we’ll be up for the game.”