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England seamer David Willey will retire from international cricket at the end of the World Cup, unhappy after missing out on a central contract.
The 33-year-old was the only member of the touring party in India not to receive a new deal last week and “wasn’t best pleased”, in the words of Rob Key, managing director of England men’s cricket.
A total of 26 players were handed new terms, with three more on pace development deals, leaving Willey in the strange position of pondering his immediate future while simultaneously trying to turn around England’s tanking campaign.
The left-armer has held up his side of the bargain, taking five wickets in three games and delivering the best economy rate of the six fast bowlers England have used at the tournament.
Willey channelled his growing frustrations in the perfect way in Lucknow at the weekend, taking a fine haul of 3-45, including star batter Virat Kohli for a nine-ball duck, but he has now resolved to walk away.
Despite five defeats in six games of their World Cup defence, England’s players have lined up one after the other to praise the unity and morale in the squad.
But, in revealing his decision with three group games still to go, starting with rivals Australia in Ahmedabad on Saturday, Willey’s timing frames his personal frustrations.
Revealing the news in an emotional Instagram post, Willey wrote: “I never wanted this day to come. 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 played 70 ODIs and 43 T20s and England must now decide whether to continue picking him for their remaining games against Australia, the Netherlands and Pakistan or use the moment to move on.
“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,” Willey continued.
2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan was heavily critical of England’s handling of Willey.
“He’s been England’s best player in the last three games,” Vaughan told the BBC. “England have given out 29 contracts and he wasn’t worthy of a one-year contract, which I found staggering.
“The way he’s been treated in this World Cup has been disgraceful.”
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