England seamer David Willey to retire from cricket after World Cup
David Willey in action during the World Cup match at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, India. File Reuters
The 33-year-old bowler was the only member of England's current World Cup squad to be left out when the ECB announced its central contracts on Oct.24.
"I never wanted this day to come,” Willey wrote on social media.
"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.”
Willey has played in 70 ODIs for England and picked up 94 wickets, with 51 wickets from 45 T20s. He was part of England’s 2016 T20 World Cup squad that lost to the West Indies in the final.
Willey has taken five wickets in three matches in this World Cup, including 3-45 against India in Lucknow. Defending champion England has lost five of its six games and is 10th in the points’ table.
Associated Press
