Sam Billings: England batsman dislocates shoulder playing for Kent at Glamorgan
- Published
Sam Billings has played 15 one-day internationals for England
England batsman Sam Billings suffered a dislocated shoulder just minutes into his first match for Kent this season, against Glamorgan in Cardiff.
He was prone for several minutes before being helped off and taken to hospital.
Billings, back from Indian Premier League duty, was hurt attempting to make a stop in the first over.
Billings was in the England squad to face Ireland in the summer's first one-day international and Pakistan in a Twenty20 international in Cardiff.
However, he was not included in England's preliminary 15-man squad for the World Cup.
Billings hit 87 in 47 balls in his most recent England innings, a T20 outing in the West Indies, and would have had a chance of challenging for a World Cup place amid England injury concerns elsewhere.
"That's got to be the frustration with niggles around among the batsmen so that could be an opportunity, but you can't think like that, it is what is is," said Billings.
"I just wanted to play some cricket (after playing just one IPL game). The innings that I played from an England point of view - I'm easily good enough to perform consistently at that level so it's just a shame I'll miss out on that opportunity.
"But I will be back in an England shirt sooner rather than later hopefully."
Billings will have a shoulder scan on Friday and take specialist opinion to determine the length of his lay-off.
"Without a doubt, it's the most painful thing I've ever experienced," he told BBC Radio Kent.
"Thankfully I've never been injured seriously before, but one hour and 20 minutes with your shoulder not back in its right place isn't a great time for anyone.
"But there are worse things going on, it's not ideal but I'll rehab it when I can, I'm seeing a specialist tomorrow with different scans and tests, and I'll get fit and firing as soon as possible since I've been starved of cricket."
Kent and England colleague Joe Denly missed the game against Glamorgan with back trouble, while experienced all-rounder Darren Stevens is out with a side strain as part of the county's lengthy injury list.