ENG vs NZ | Sam Billings to don wicket-keeping gloves after Ben Foakes tests positive for Covid-19

Ahead of Day 4 of the 3rd Test between England and New Zealand, the home team has suffered a major blow after the wicket-keeper Ben Foakes tested COVID positive on June 25 (Saturday). 

Foakes sat out of the field on Day 3 complaining of a stiff back and ultimately tested positive. In place of him, Jonny Bairstow was in charge of the wicket-keeping duties. 

However, the team management has called Sam Billings as a like-for-like replacement for Foakes for the rest of the Test match, subject to approval by the International Cricket Council (ICC). 

In June 2020, the covid substitutes were introduced when Benjamin Lister had replaced Mark Chapman during a Plunket Shield fixture. 

Earlier this year, Sarel Erwee and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder were tested positive for South Africa in a red-ball fixture against Bangladesh, while Khaya Zondo and Glenton Stuurman had been their replacements. 

Kent’s captain Billings was all set to lead the side in their County Championship fixture against Surrey starting today. However, in his absence, Jack Leaning will lead Kent. 

Billings made his Test debut in January 2022 against Australia, scoring 30 runs,s and effected five dismissals behind the stumps. 

After the end of Day 3, New Zealand were at 168/5 and were ahead by 137 runs. It will take a daunting effort from the lower middle-order of the Kiwi team to stitch partnerships and put the home team under pressure to avoid a series whitewash.