‘It's with deep regret’ - David Willey reflects on retirement decision after final game of his international career
"I think anybody looking in has probably looked at the way I've gone about my business and probably played the best cricket of my career. I'm 33, as fit as I've ever been," Willey said.
Star English all-rounder David Willey recently shocked the world after he announced his retirement from international cricket. Playing his final international game against Pakistan at the 2023 ODI World Cup, Willey put in a marvelous performance and even picked up the Player of the Match award after his classy bowling display against the Men in Green.
Speaking of his retirement after the game, Willey came forward to opine that he is playing the best cricket of his career and that he is only retiring due to the team wanting to go in a different direction with their squad.
Willey stated that, at 33, he is as fit as he can be and talked of how much regret he has over quitting international cricket. However, due to the national team not offering him a contract, the decision to retire has been something he couldn't keep aside.
“I mean, my time is done because I've called time on it, but it's with deep regret, I think. I think anybody looking in has probably looked at the way I've gone about my business and probably played the best cricket of my career. I'm 33, as fit as I've ever been. So, 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,” David Willey said in the post-match press conference.
I could still be a part of that World Cup: Willey
Furthermore, the 33-year-old all-rounder went on to state that he could be a part of the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for 2024, to be held in the USA and the West Indies. However, due to the side wanting to go in a different direction, Willey had to call quits on his international career.
“I think being told that they're likely to go in a different direction after the World Cup. I think that was the final nail in the coffin for me. I think, I believe that I could still be a part of that World Cup and an injury or two, and they're going to be calling on someone with very little to no experience in World Cups. So yeah, look I think I could still have played a part in that World Cup,” Willey said.
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