Billings returns to Thunder, commits to BBL long-term

English T20 specialist Sam Billings has committed to the Big Bash in its entirety for the next three seasons, becoming the first men's player to sign under the league's new multi-year contract option for overseas players.

Billings will return to Sydney Thunder for the next three KFC BBL seasons from start to finish, including finals, after the club beat several Big Bash rivals as well as UAE and South African T20 franchises in the race for the wicketkeeper-batter's services.

It means Brisbane Heat have lost their second overseas star this week after New Zealand allrounder Amelia Kerr signed a three-year deal with Sydney Sixers, becoming the first player to commit under the new overseas contracting mechanism.

Both Billings and Kerr opted to negotiate with a Big Bash team directly rather than the uncertainty of entering the draft pool. The Weber WBBL|10 Draft order was revealed yesterday with the BBL|14 Draft order expected to be announced later today.

Announced in April, the new contracting rule allows clubs to directly sign one men's and women's overseas player at a time for up to three years, provided that from BBL|15 and WBBL|11 onwards they are available for the entire season including finals.

Sydney Thunder BBL|14 squad (so far): Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (direct overseas signing), Oliver Davies, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, William Salzmann, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha

Billings and Kerr have also committed to the entire season of their respective competitions this summer.

Securing 32-year-old Billings, who has represented England in all three formats, is a huge win for the league and Thunder as during his past two seasons when drafted by the Heat he has exited the Big Bash early to play in the ILT20 in the UAE.

He spoke in support of enabling overseas players to sign long-term deals with Big Bash clubs last January before departing prior to the BBL|13 finals where his Heat went on to claim the title while Billings and fellow overseas recruit Colin Munro watched on from Dubai.

The new father of a baby girl, Ivie, Billings said playing in the BBL was an important decision for him and his family.

"At this stage of my career and life, where I play, the people I play with and the community I am part of is really important to my family and I," he said.

"I know Sydney Thunder provides me with the best opportunity to enjoy my time and play some really good cricket.

"The BBL is in such a great place these days, it's well run, well supported and definitely the best tournament in the world staged at that time of the year.

"That's why I have committed long-term and to be here right until the end of the tournament each year.

"I loved my time (with the Heat), up there at a wonderful club. I met some brilliant people and managed to contribute to winning a BBL.

"Hopefully I can do the same and help build a winning culture at Sydney Thunder moving forward. (I'm) really excited for the project moving forward."

Billings was previously part of the Sixers squad in BBL|06 and BBL|07, and Thunder squad in BBL|10 and BBL|11, before being snapped up by the Heat with the fourth pick in the inaugural BBL Draft, and then retained last year.

It marks a return to Sydney's west where Billings first spent time playing Premier Cricket for Penrith a decade ago.

"I love Sydney and in particular Western Sydney and the chance to come back to a family club that is so connected to their members and fans and the people from the area was too good an opportunity to ignore," he said.

"On the field we are pulling together a really good squad and the chance to work with such an accomplished coach as Trevor Bayliss again was very appealing."

Billings is currently captaining Kent in the county T20 Blast competition where he slammed a 54-ball century against Somerset last Friday.

He will also join the Oval Invincibles again for this year's Hundred after leading the franchise to the title in 2023 before he returns to Australia in December.

Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said Billings' leadership on and off the field was also a major factor in getting him back to the club.

Direct signings must be paid at one of the existing draft salary bands (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) or at a negotiated price above the Platinum rate. The Thunder did not divulge what band Billings' signing falls into.

"Sam genuinely wants to make a difference and connect with the community and for him to leave the Heat, who won the BBL last season, and want to come back 'home' to Western Sydney is massive for us," Copeland said.

Billings is the club's third addition this off-season for BBL|14 after they announced a two-year contract extension for Australian Under-19 World Cup winner Sam Konstas yesterday and previously acquired fast bowler Wes Agar in a trade with Adelaide Strikers.