SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 15: Sam Billings of England waits to bat during a nets session at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Sydney Thunder wicketkeeper Sam Billings is set to join England's Ashes squad for the final Test in Hobart.
The 30-year-old was set to depart for home on Friday along with several other English internationals who have been plying their trade in the Big Bash this season.
However, with gloveman Jos Buttler potentially out of favour for the fifth Ashes Test and second-string keeper Jonny Bairstow sustaining a serious thumb injury during his century against Australia, Billings has come into considerations for a call-up to the Tasmania Test.
Buttler has amassed a disappointing summer with the bat, which was compounded this week after scoring an eight-ball duck.
The veteran keeper has also endured a tough series as wicketkeeper, having dropped several key chances throughout the opening three Tests.
Injury concerns have also placed Buttler's stocks under fire, with Ollie Pope selected to pull on the gloves for the remainder of the Sydney Test.
Billings has been one of the form players of the BBL tournament so far this summer, both with bat in hand and behind the stumps, and the touring squad have looked toward the big-hitter as a potential reinforcement, per ESPN.
The Pembury product will await further diagnosis on Bairstow's injury, with the middle-order batsman uncertain of his chances of featuring for England on January 14.
"I don't know as yet, to be really honest with you. I'll know some more information tomorrow. I'm not sure about the keeping side of things anyway. But from a batting point of view, I'll be out there in the morning," Bairstow said on Friday.
Should Billings be handed the honours of wicketkeeping at Bellerive Oval, the Thunder recruit will make his Test debut for England, having played over 50 matches in the white-ball format at the international level.