Kent wicketkeeper Sam Billings says he is 'flattered' to have been drafted into England's provisional 30-man squad for the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The 23-year-old gloveman only took over as first-choice behind the stumps at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, in April as coach Jimmy Adams and captain Rob Key backed him to take over from former England keeper Geraint Jones.

Big-hitting Billings has been a one-day standout for Kent since making his List A debut against the Netherlands in July 2011, averaging 45 runs with the bat in his 28 innings to date.

Pembury ace Billings has been on duty for the England performance programme in Sri Lanka and was due to be part of the England Lions tour to South Africa in the New Year, however news broke on Friday morning that an application by the ECB for Billings to replace Somerset's Craig Kieswetter in the provisional squad has been approved by the ICC.

Kieswetter is expected to miss the whole of 2015 after complications arising from eye surgery after being hit in the face by a ball.

Billings joins Kent teammate and former captain James Tredwell on the long-list for the tournament - due to start in early February - with a final 15-man squad set to be named by the end of this month.

Jos Buttler is likely to be England's first-choice with Jonny Bairstow also regarded as an accomplished gloveman.