Michael Vaughan has hit out at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following David Willey’s decision to retire from international cricket.
Willey announced on Wednesday that he would step back from England duty following the ongoing World Cup in India with his decision partly influenced by his failure to land a central contract.
The 33-year-old has been one of England’s stand-out players at the World Cup but he was the only member of the party not awarded a central contract by the ECB last week.
— David Willey (@david_willey) November 1, 2023
Former England captain Vaughan believes he has been harshly treated.
He told Test Match Special: “He’s been England’s best player in the last three games.
“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.”
Willey has played 70 one-day internationals and 43 T20Is since making his England debut in 2015 and Vaughan believes the left-armer still has plenty to offer.
He added: “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.
“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.”
Willey is now expected to try his hand in the various franchise leagues around the world.
