David Willey, an English cricket player, was not included in the ECB’s yearly contractual procedure for 2023–2024. He will retire from all international cricket after the conclusion of the current 2023 World Cup in India. As of last week, Willey, 33, is the only player of the current England World Cup team without a central contract for the next campaign.
“I never wanted this day to come,” Willey stated on social media on Wednesday (November 1), the day he announced his choice. “I’ve only ever dreamed of playing cricket for England since I was a small child. I feel that the time has come for me to retire from all forms of international cricket after the World Cup, and I do so with deep regret.
“I have taken great delight in wearing the shirt and have given the insignia on my chest my all. Being a member of a world-class whiteball team with some of the greatest players in the game is truly an honor. Along the process, I’ve made some amazing friends and some truly memorable memories.”
“To my spouse, my two kids, my parents—I couldn’t have pursued my goals without your selflessness and steadfast encouragement all along the way. I will always be grateful to you for sharing the priceless moments and picking up the pieces when I’ve fallen apart.”
Protecting the winners With five losses in six games, England is at the bottom of the standings and is only theoretically still in the competition. In his final three group stage matches, Willey declared he would “give my everything and more” to Pakistan, Australia, and the Netherlands, respectively.
“My choice has nothing to do with our World Cup performance; I feel I still have a lot more to give both on and off the pitch while I am playing my best cricket. “Anybody who knows me knows without a doubt that I will give this campaign everything I have and more in the remaining days,” he remarked. “That’s the only way I know.”
Willey did, however, mention that he will keep working for franchises and domestic sides in the shorter forms (T20 and the Hundred). Willey played for Welsh Fire in the Hundred and was selected captain of Northamptonshire in the T20 Blast the previous year. In January, he is scheduled to compete with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20. Willey is currently under contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore for the IPL.