After a terrifying skin cancer incident, Sam Billings issued a warning: “Cricket isn’t the be all and end all. See my story and think twice.”

England Sam Billings, a wicketkeeper and batter, spoke about the horrible experience he experienced while undergoing two procedures in October 2022 to cure skin cancer. Due to their frequent exposure to the sun, he advised cricket players to play more carefully and take precautions.

The Kent keeper-batter recalled that in 2022, his county cricket club had sponsored a skin cancer check. A particular mole on the doctor’s body that he claimed “didn’t look great” during the screening was later excised, and it was then determined to be a melanoma.

“Last October, I experienced a bit of a reality check as a result of two operations to remove skin cancer from my chest, which temporarily placed cricket on hold and provided some context. We all tend to apply sunscreen without much thought, but that needs to change, Billings said in the caption of an Instagram image.

“We can all be more careful because we spend so much time outside in the sun as cricket players. Over the past 20 years, the number of cases has doubled, and this trend will continue over the following 20 years, the expert predicted.

 

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You come to the realization that cricket is not everything. Sam Billings

Billings continued to describe his experience and said that the tragic event had changed his outlook on life. He also hoped that other players would learn from his mistake and be cautious about skin injury.

“It did give me the insight to make choices based on what I want to achieve rather than perhaps just following the rules and looking good. Over the years, I’ve tried to do that, and it’s occasionally led to me carrying drinks. You come to the realization that cricket is not everything. Though it’s crucial, you must keep things in perspective. Additionally, it has greatly increased my empathy, Sam Billings told the Telegraph.

“As a 22-year-old with fairer hair in Australia, I was that stereotypical Brit who believed it was worthwhile to go a little red to get brown. And you witness it frequently at home when the temperature rises to 12 degrees and the sun is out. I didn’t anticipate being the one with skin damage. I want people to think twice after hearing my experience,” he continued.