Billings replaces Kieswetter in England 30

Sam Billings, Kent's up-and-coming wicketkeeper batsman, has been approved by the ICC as a replacement for Craig Kieswetter in the England 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup.

Kieswetter's withdrawal became inevitable when he pulled out of professional cricket for the next year after suffering further vision problems following his blow in the eye from David Willey will batting for Somerset against Northants last summer. He anticipates taking a year out of the game while specialists seek to restore him to full health.

Billings, 23, replaced the former England gloveman Geraint Jones behind the stumps at the start of the 2014 Championship season and emphasised his 50-over potential in the Royal London One-Day Cup, becoming the leading run-scorer in the competition, with an unbeaten 135 from 58 balls against Somerset being his stand-out innings. Only his T20 performances disappointed.

He was named in England's Performance Programme party for their a training camp in Sri Lanka and won a spot on the England Lions tour to South Africa in January.

England have two other wicketkeepers in their 30-man squad, the first choice, Jos Buttler, and Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow. Twelve of the 14 30-strong squads have been named, with only Australia and Ireland still to come.