MUMBAI: England seamer David Willey said Wednesday he will retire from international cricket following the World Cup after missing out on a national central contract.
The 33-year-old left-armer, also a hard-hitting lower-order batsman, was the only member of reigning champions England’s struggling 15-man squad in India not to be given a deal of any kind.
That decision left Willey in the strange position of trying to turn round England’s woeful title defence while knowing his bosses were not prepared to secure his future as an international cricketer.
“I never wanted this day to come,” said Willey in a post on Instagram announcing his retirement.
England have won just one of their six matches played and are currently bottom of the 10-team table in India.
Willey took 3-45, including dismissing star batsman Virat Kohli for nought, in Lucknow last weekend although his haul could not prevent England suffering a 100-run defeat by the unbeaten hosts.
“From a young boy, I’ve only ever dreamed of playing cricket for England,” added Willey.
“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.
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