Willey wanted to play 2019 World Cup for England.
England pacer David Willey is looking forward to making the most of the “second chance” after being recalled to the national squad for the upcoming One Day International series against Ireland.
Willey, the son of former England batsman and Test umpire Peter Willey, has been named in England’s 14-men squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Ireland starting on July 30.
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He had been a white-ball regular for England for the previous four years, and wanted to be part of the country’s historic World Cup 2019 triumph at home, but was dropped immediately before the global mega-event to make way for the Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra Archer.
Following the surprise snub, the all-rounder had been serving sideline from the white-ball setup having last played for England in May 2019, but how he managed to return to the national folds and the pacer just want to enjoy his second chance against Ireland like a “free hit”.
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Willey told Britain's Press Association on Tuesday (July 28): “I'd love to have played in the World Cup for England and I don't think anything is going to make up for being dropped at the 11th hour, but that's the nature of the beast. Somebody had to miss out and it was me.”
He signed off by saying, “Now, I have a second chance and it almost feels like a free hit for me. If it goes well, that's great, but if it doesn't then I'll enjoy it while it lasts.”
Here’s England ODI Squad:
Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Joe Denly, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Reece Topley, James Vince, David Willey
(With PA Inputs)