Sam Billings defends decision to prefer PSL 8 over national duty

Sam Billings has defended his decision of preferring to play Pakistan Super League season 8 instead of traveling to Bangladesh with Jos Buttler’s side.

Billings was one of several players, including Alex Hales and Liam Dawson, who continued to play for their PSL franchises over going for national duty.

 “For me, you balance these situations, you look at it from all the different angles and I think it (playing in the PSL) was the best decision for me.

“I’d feel hard done by if people say I haven’t put England cricket first over the last eight years, running the drinks instead of passing up these opportunities.”

Billings believe that the England and Wales Cricket Board need to work towards improving the financial situation for players.

“But I think the fundamental issue is the contract situation and the opportunities now that most of the players can get, it’s a really tough ask,” he said.

“But in world cricket at the moment we’ve got way too much cricket going on and there needs to be that levelling out period where everyone can benefit – but there has to be a timescale for it to work,” he concluded.