England’s treatment of David Willey has been “disgraceful”, says former captain Michael Vaughan, after the bowler announced he will retire from internationals following the World Cup.
He has played in England’s past three matches in India, taking five wickets.
“He’s been England’s best player in the last three games,” said Vaughan.
“England have given out 29 contracts and he wasn’t worthy of a one-year contract, which I found staggering.
“The way he’s been treated in this World Cup has been disgraceful.”
Left-arm seamer Willey has played 70 one-day internationals and 43 T20s since making his England debut in 2015.
He was a regular in the ODI side before being dropped on the eve of the 2019 World Cup for fast bowler Jofra Archer, a tournament England went on to win.
During England’s dismal World Cup campaign in India, Willey was called into the starting XI after Chris Woakes was dropped.
Since then he has returned figures of 0-62, 2-30 and 3-45 in defeats by South Africa, Sri Lanka and India respectively.
“You’ve got a player playing in a World Cup, there’s a T20 World Cup next June, and even if you think at this stage David Willey isn’t going to be in the squad for the T20 World Cup, he’s probably an injury away from being in that 15,” Vaughan said on Test Match Special.
“So you can’t tell me you don’t want to be looking after someone like David Willey.
“I don’t see how you can give 29 contracts out, yet you don’t give one to someone who’s playing the best in the World Cup.”
England managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key paid tribute to Willey, saying that playing more than 100 white-ball games for England is a “massive achievement and something David can be immensely proud of”.
Last week Key said Willey “wasn’t best pleased” about being omitted from the latest batch of central contracts, with all other players in the England squad being awarded deals for one, two or three years.
“We’d love to live in a world where you can just say we have a pot of extra cash and you can just give him a contract because he’s coming out here for the World Cup,” added Key.
“But some of those players who have just started and come on to that contract system, they’re multi-format cricketers.”
Willey retires with ‘great regret’
Willey’s decision will free him to play in various T20 leagues around the world. He has not played a first-class match since 2021.
In a statement on Wednesday, he said: “I never wanted this day to come. From a young boy I’ve only dreamed of playing for England.
“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.
“I have worn the shirt with immense pride and given my absolute everything to the badge on my chest.
“I’ve been very lucky to be a part of such an incredible white-ball team with some of the best players in the world.
“I’ve made some special memories and great friends along the way and been through some very difficult times.”
Defending champions England have three games remaining at this year’s tournament, starting against Australia on Saturday, but are facing elimination in the group stages after losing five of their six matches.
Willey and Woakes are the only genuine new-ball bowlers in the squad and, while Willey remains available for selection, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse could come in if England opt to look to the future.
“I feel I still have a lot more to give on and off the field while I am still playing my best cricket, and my decision has nothing to do with our performance during the World Cup,” he said.
“I’m sure everybody who knows me does not doubt that, whatever my involvement in the remainder of this campaign, I will give my everything and more. That’s the only way I know.”
