Sam Billings aiming to use England Lions game to push for Test recall

Sam Billings believes captaining the England Lions against South Africa offers his best chance of earning a recall to the Test squad.

The England Lions squad, who have all left their respective Hundred and Royal London one-day cup squads, gathered in Canterbury ahead of the start of a four-day game against South Africa on Tuesday.

Harry Brook and Will Jacks were among the 13-man squad, which will be captained by Billings, to face the tourists, who got the better of England in both the Twenty20 and the one-day international series earlier in the summer.

Paul Collingwood will take charge of the side for the match, which takes place ahead of the first Test at Lord’s starting on August 17.

Billings believes the immediate shift to red-ball cricket, after the Kent wicketkeeper captained the Oval Invincibles during their victory over Welsh Fire on Sunday, is a challenge, but one the players are used to.

“It is a challenge. But it is what it is really,” the 31-year-old told the PA news agency.

“As players we want to give ourselves the best chance of playing for England, it’s as simple as that.

“Whatever the schedule is, it is what it is but, for me, I want to press my claims to try and get back in that Test squad.

“I had a taste of it and this seemed like the best option for me and my cricket moving forward, so it was a pretty easy decision.

“It is challenging but, like I said, it is something that you’ve just kind of got to find a way to manoeuvre around and adapt to.”

Billings believes a number of players have points to prove, with Ollie Robinson, Keaton Jennings and Craig Overton among those hoping to earn an England recall.

“It’s an opportunity, of course, for individuals to pursue their ambitions,” he said.

“It definitely