Buttler an inspiration to Billings

Sam Billings hopes to emulate the destructive innings played by Jos Buttler against Pakistan as England prepare for three Twenty20 internationals in United Arab Emirates.

Having been out of form and dropped from the Test side, Buttler produced a stunning display of hitting in the fourth one-day international on Friday with a 46-ball hundred in England’s 84-run victory.

Billings watched his international team-mate’s knock from the stands in Dubai, and hopes to produce something similar if he gets a chance in the T20 matches that begin on Thursday.

“The bloke’s a freak, to put it bluntly,” he told the ECB website. “It was a phenomenal innings, and a pleasure to watch. We’re all trying to emulate something like that on a personal level.

“The pleasing thing is that I think we have numerous individuals who can make performances like that happen.

“You aspire to do things like that. You’ve done it at county level, so it’s about emulating it at international level.

“If I get an opportunity, I’ll give it 100 per cent and hope it will come off.”

After impressing in the ODI series against Pakistan, England’s attentions now turn to the shortest form of the game with Billings hoping they can continue their form as they begin their preparations for next year’s World T20.

He added: “As a squad in one-day cricket, I think we’ve moved forward really well.

“We feel this whole squad can really move up another level, so it’s about continuing that momentum throughout this winter into the World Cup.

“The next global Twenty20 tournament is in India, it doesn’t get much better than that.

“So to have a bit of experience out here, in these conditions, is invaluable.”