England all-rounder David Willey has announced his retirement from international cricket after playing his last match in the World Cup 2023. Willey took his 100th ODI wicket in England’s win over Pakistan in Kolkata but revealed that he was not sure about participating in the tournament until the last moment.
Willey, 33, said he felt “deep regret” about ending his career, as he was playing the best cricket of his life. He also expressed his frustration over not being offered a central contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which he said was a sign of them going in a different direction after the World Cup.
“I’m 33, as fit as I’ve ever been. One of the reasons that I wasn’t offered a contract was them going in a different direction after the World Cup - I don’t know why they are. It’s been a period for some time now… not knowing quite where I stand with England and it’s just taken its toll and becomes very tiring,” Willey said.
Willey, who made his ODI debut in 2015, has played 75 matches and taken 101 wickets at an average of 31.62. He has also scored 879 runs at a strike rate of 91.64. He was a key member of the England team that won the World Cup 2019 at home but missed out on the squad for the World Cup 2023 due to the emergence of new players.
Willey said he was unsure about traveling to India for the World Cup 2023, as he felt undervalued as an England player. He said he made up his mind to retire midway through the tournament, after finding out that he was the only player on the team without a central deal.
“I wasn’t sure whether I was going to come to the World Cup, even to the 11th hour. The morning that we were joining up at Lord’s, I still wasn’t sure whether I’d make the trip or not. From then on, it (retirement) was something that was on my mind. It’s not just that I haven’t been offered a contract; it’s how I feel valued as an England player when I look down that list of other guys that have got contracts… I came to the decision that the time was right for me to call it a day,” Willey said.
Willey thanked his teammates, coaches, family, and fans for their support throughout his career, and said he was proud of what he achieved with England. He also said he would continue to play domestic cricket for Yorkshire and in various T20 leagues around the world.
“I’ve had some amazing experiences with England and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved as a team. I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way, especially my teammates, coaches, family and the fans who have always backed me. I’m not done with cricket yet, I still love the game and I want to keep playing as long as I can. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my career, wherever that may take me,” Willey said.
