Skipper Sam Billings’ decision not to take part in this year’s Indian Premier League has been hailed as a big boost for Kent by head coach Matt Walker.

Billings has been regularly involved in franchises around the globe which have meant he has missed large chunks of recent Kent campaigns.

But the 31-year-old is looking to focus on longer-format cricket this summer, as he tries to force himself into England contention, and he will be available for Kent at the start of the campaign.

Walker said: “It’s an enormous boost, really.

"It’ll be really good for him to be here for the start of the season.

“He made that decision and it was purely his own decision to stay and take himself out of the IPL. I think he wants to be here for the start and hit the ground running at the start of our domestic County Championship campaign.

“It gives more solidarity to the group that he’s here as the captain. He will be able to be around in pre-season and influence in the way that he does so well when he’s around.

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“He’s going to do it from the start of the season, which gives everyone a bit more clarity and solidarity around the start of the year.

“I think it’s really good. He won’t be dipping in a few weeks into the season.

“He can set his stall out to start the season as captain and as a player, and have a good build-up to the start of the year, which he hasn’t really had for a long time.

“He has come back in and has to try to hit the ground running, having played a lot of white-ball cricket. Now, he’s got a chance to get himself really ready for the start of the year and I think that’s going to help him.

“It’ll be good for him because I think he just wants to get on a bit of a roll, really, and play some consistent cricket.”

Billings has played in the Australian T20 Big Bash League and the inaugural International League T20, held across the United Arab Emirates.

And although the Pembury-born man is taking part in the Pakistan Super League alongside team-mate Jordan Cox - even if his team reaches the Final - he shouldn’t miss too much of pre-season at Kent. The PSL Final is scheduled to be in Lahore on Sunday, March 19.

“Him in our side at the start of the year is an absolutely huge plus for us, having a player of his quality around,” said Walker.

“He’ll be in the country for a good few weeks, getting himself playing as well as he can, because he’s such a good player for us.

“Having him from the start - from a playing point of view - is a real boost but also from a captaincy point of view, too.”

Billings has made a positive start in the 2023 PSL, scoring 47 not out and 33 in a 40-run win over Peshawar Zalmi and a 110-run success against Islamabad United.

In his latest outing, he hit a 35-ball 54 as they beat Multan Sultans by 21 runs.

Walker expects Billings to wear the gloves at the start of the new season, ahead of Cox and Harry Finch.