Northants star Willey is ‘hungry for more’ with England

David Willey admits he is ‘hungry for more’ success with England.
David Willey celebrates taking a wicket during the ODI series win over New Zealand earlier this yearDavid Willey celebrates taking a wicket during the ODI series win over New Zealand earlier this year
David Willey celebrates taking a wicket during the ODI series win over New Zealand earlier this year

The Northants all-rounder was this week named in England’s T20 and ODI squads for the forthcoming matches against Australia, with the 25-year-old being handed another deserved chance at international level after impressing in the wins over New Zealand earlier in the year.

Willey is in line to start in the T20 international against the Aussies in Cardiff on Monday, as well as in the five-match ODI series that starts at Lord’s on September 5, and he can’t wait.

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The series will be the last time that Willey will represent England as a Northants player, as he leaves for Yorkshire at the end of the current season, and the all-rounder says it is his England ambitions that persuaded him going north was the right move.

“The New Zealand series was a great experience and has made me hungry for more,” said Willey, who is set to make his final appearance for Northants in this Saturday’s NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston.

“All of that is part of why I am moving on, up to Yorkshire, to try and further my career and achieve my Test match ambitions as well as hopefully cement my place in the one-day team.

“Hopefully I will put in some good performances (against Australia) and get my name in the frame for the winter stuff.”

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Willey also expanded on his reasons for leaving Northants, highlighting the chance to work with former England bowler and fellow left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom as a key factor.

“It was a difficult decision for me to leave Northants, and there was probably only a couple of places I would have considered going to,” said Willey.

“Yorkshire was always top of my list, to work closely with Jason Gillespie, and also Ryan Sidebottom who has played at the highest level.

“What I can learn from those two is going to be invaluable, and I will also be challenged as well because I am not going to be guaranteed a place in the team.

“That in itself is going to be a challenge, and hopefully it will bring out the best in me.”