David Willey will retire from international cricket at the end of England’s disastrous World Cup campaign, the seamer has announced.
Willey has been one of England’s better performers at the tournament in India but was the only one of the 15-man squad to be left off a list of 29 players handed central contracts last week, a decision about which, according to managing director Rob Key, he “wasn’t best pleased”.
The 33-year-old has played for England 113 times across white-ball formats and was part of the squad that won the T20 World Cup in Australia last year.
The left-armer made his international debut in 2015 and played a key role in England’s white-ball revolution under Eoin Morgan, though he famously missed out on the 2019 World Cup triumph, having been axed from the squad on the eve of the tournament to make way for Jofra Archer.
“I never wanted this day to come,” Willey wrote in a statement. “From a young boy, I've only ever dreamed of playing cricket for England.
"So, with careful thought and consideration, it is with great regret that I feel the time has come for me to retire from all forms of international cricket at the end of the World Cup.
"I have worn the shirt with immense pride and given my absolute everything to the badge on my chest. I've been very lucky to be a part of such an incredible white-ball team with some of the best players in the world.
"I've made some special memories and great friends along the way and been through some very difficult times.”
Willey has the best economy rate of any England seamer at the ongoing World Cup and took three wickets, including that of Virat Kohli, in the 100-run defeat to India last weekend.
Jos Buttler’s side are all-but out of the tournament having lost five of their six group matches so far, but still have three games to play, starting against Australia in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Whether Willey now keeps his place for that game remains to be seen. The likes of Sam Curran, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse are expected to be involved in England’s regeneration after the World Cup and may instead be handed more tournament experience.
"I feel I still have a lot more to give on and off the field while I am still playing my best cricket, and my decision has nothing to do with our performance during the World Cup," Willey continued.
"I'm sure everybody who knows me does not doubt that, whatever my involvement in the remainder of this campaign, I will give my everything and more! That's the only way I know."
