Kent wicketkeeper Sam Billings hailed the ‘invaluable’ experience after making a half-century on his England Lions debut in the drawn game against the Gauteng Invitation XI in Soweto.

Despite being left out of the starting XI in favour of Jonny Bairstow, the 23-year-old was drafted into the second-innings batting lineup, making 53 from 73 balls before retiring.

The Pembury ace shared a 119-run partnership with former England Test star Jonathan Trott, who skippered the side in the three-day game which ended on Wednesday, and admitted: “It’s good to get some time in the middle, get some practice in and it was really enjoyable batting with Trotty as well.

“It was my first time batting with him and for the Lions. It was thoroughly enjoyable and I’m just glad to get the opportunity, to be honest.”

A fluent Billings cracked seven boundaries in his innings and added: “It’s the way I play - it’s important for me to keep that natural tempo, everyone’s got that and it’s key to keep that going.”

Billings spent time preparing for the tour with the England Performance Programme (EPP) in Sri Lanka and South Africa, before linking up with the Lions.

He revealed: “It was a very good trip before Christmas with the EPP, Sri Lanka with the spin part of the camp and then the pace part in South Africa after that.

“It was really good and got us ready for this tour. Hopefully we can put some performances in.”

The Lions will face South Africa A in the first of two four-day games in Paarl, starting on Sunday, with a five-match one-day series to follow.

Billings added: “We’re going to come up against tougher opposition than this but there’s no better way than getting miles in the legs for the bowlers and for the batters time in the middle is invaluable - it puts us in good stead for next week.”

Billings’s Kent teammate Adam Riley was also omitted from the initial line-up but in the second innings took a wicket with his first ball for the Lions.

The spinner eventually finished with 1-8 from his two overs, with Billings adding: “He’s done very well this year in county cricket and I’m sure it will be a matter of time until he gets his opportunity.”