David Willey, Yorkshire’s T20 captain, is one of English Cricket’s most explosive all-rounders.
A product of the Northamptonshire system, Willey, son of Peter – also an international all-rounder in his playing days, has proved more than once that he is a player who loves the big stage.
Many believe David is unlucky not to have gained more England recognition, especially after a player-of-the-series return in the 2020 summer ODI series against Ireland in Southampton when he claimed eight wickets in three matches and posted scores of 50 and 47 not out in a series win.
That was his return to England colours after being left out of the 2019 one-day World Cup squad at the very last minute. It was the low point of a special career.
Having played age-group cricket for Northants, he struck a first-innings 60 on first-class debut in a County Championship clash with Leicestershire at Grace Road in April 2009. His one-day and T20 debuts followed shortly afterwards.
Willey’s career, which has so far yielded 77 one-day and T20 international appearances – 94 wickets and 543 runs – since debuting in Dublin in May 2015, has been white ball dominant.
A left-arm swing bowler who takes the new ball, he also bats high up the order and can smack it miles.
Willey led Northants to their maiden T20 title with a stunning all-round display in the final win over Surrey at Edgbaston in mid-August 2013.
He smashed a 27-ball 60 at the top of the order before adding 4-9 from 2.3 overs in defence of 195, including a hat-trick.
2015 was a memorable year, not just for his international debut.
He smashed a 40-ball T20 hundred for Northants against Sussex at Hove in August, then the eighth fastest of all-time and the fastest of the English season. It took Northants to Finals Day, but they lost the final against Lancashire.
He signed a three-year contract with Yorkshire ahead of 2016, something which has obviously since been extended, and has captained the county in both T20 and Championship cricket.
He is also a Big Bash winner with Perth Scorchers (2016/17) and an Indian Premier League winner with Chennai Super Kings (2018).
He will play in the inaugural Hundred for the Emerald Headingley based Northern Superchargers in 2021.
