Ripley’s delight as ‘excellent’ Willey gets recognition

England have made the right choice in calling David Willey into their Player Performance programme for this winter’s to of Australia.
Northamptonshire head coach David RipleyNorthamptonshire head coach David Ripley
Northamptonshire head coach David Ripley

Willey was named in the 16-man EPP squad which will act as back-up to the Test team on their Ashes tour.

They will spend a period training at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough followed by a month in Australia. The EPP will be based in Brisbane for a fortnight followed by two weeks in Perth.

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And Northamptonshire head coach David Ripley is certain it is good call by the England selectors to take the 23-year-old with him and that Willey is definitely ready to make the next in his career.

“I think it is a good selection by them,” Ripley said.

“He’s been in great form this season and deserves it on the back of the excellent performances he has put in for us.

“But he is also the kind of player they can monitor in all formats of the game.

“It’s been well documented that they want a left-armer in their set-up and I think he has got a lot more to offer in the one-day format - as well as the longer game - than the other guys vying for that position.”

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He also had praise for Willey’s attitude and believes the success coming the all-rounder’s way is because of his desire for development.

“The good thing about David is he is always striving to be better,” the head coach explained.

“He knows there are parts of his game that need improvement.

“He is working hard on his bowling to become more consistent and he is certainly not resting on his laurels.”

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Ripley also believes the call is another plus mark for Northamptonshire in what has already been an exceptional summer.

With the Friends Life t20 trophy now housed at Wantage Road and the side a mere five points from promotion in the LV= County Championship Division Two, there is much to herald at the County.

National calls for the lads they have brought through the system is another reason to be proud.

“It’s great,” Ripley added. “It’s what we want to happen.

“We want our younger players getting recognition for their work here.

“It’s good for the club. There is a lot of competition for these selections so it is a great achievement.”