There comes a breaking news as England’s prolific player David Willey will retire from all forms of Cricket at the age of 33. However, Willey will play for England till the completion of ODI World Cup 2023. There are chances that Willey has taken such a big step after the ECB decided not to offer him a central contract for the 2023-24 cycle. Willey is among those bowlers who have improved his form a lot over the last four weeks while playing in the ODI World Cup 2023. He has so far fetched five wickets at 27.20 and hit 42 runs from the lower order in his three appearances since coming into the team after their huge defeat to South Africa in Mumbai.
“I never wanted this day to come,” Willey wrote in a post on his Instagram page. “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 whiteball team with some of the best players in the world. I’ve made some special memories and great friends along the way and have been through some very difficult times.”
Willey further extended thanks to his family for supporting him in his thick & thin. He also said that he will continue to give his 100% performance in the final three fixtures against Australia, Netherlands & Pakistan. He also said that he has a lot to give to England cricket off & on the field & his decision will not affect their performance in the ODI World Cup 2023.
David Willey will Continue to play Domestic Cricket
Meanwhile, David Willey will continue to play domestic cricket at home & across the globe. He has recently led Northamptonshire in the T20 Blast last year represented Welsh Fire in the Hundred, and is due to play for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 in January. He might be retained by RCB ahead of IPL 2024.
Willay has bagged 94 wickets in 70 ODIs & 51 wickets in 43 T20Is since making his International debut in 2015. David was also a part of England’s team that ended as the runner-up in the T20 World Cup 2016. He returned with swashbuckling figures by scalping 3 wickets for 20 runs during England’s defeat to West Indies in the final & was named in their provisional squad for the 2019 World Cup, but was brutally dropped at the last minute to accommodate Jofra Archer’s selection. Willey was recalled in England’s ODI series against Ireland in 2020 where he ended as their second-highest wicket-taker in the format between World Cups. He was also an unused squad member at last year’s T20 World Cup.
Coming to the ODI World Cup 2023, David Willey was initially not included in England’s Playing XI for the first few fixtures. But after playing in the last three fixtures he ended up dismissing Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav while taking 3 for 45 in Sunday’s defeat against India.
Commenting on David Willey’s retirement, Rob Key said that playing more than 100 white ball games for the country is a huge achievement & something which David can be proud of.
He said, “He has given everything he has to England, every time he’s taken to the field, and I’d like to thank him for all that he’s done over many years. I wish him all the very best for the future.”
Sportsermon.in wishes David Willey the best of luck in his future endeavors
