David Wyllie has over 100 caps for England in limited overs cricket. Credit: AFP/Marco Longari
Four years ago, David Wyllie received the worst phone call of his professional life. It was from Ed Smith, the England national selector, who told him that despite Jofra Archer playing the full four-year cycle, Jofra Archer's call-up meant he would not be in the 2019 World Cup squad.
“Nothing in my career could be worse than what happened then – I got the call after I was part of a four-year cycle and I was excluded from the World Championship at the 11th hour,” Willie reflects. “As a child, you wanted to play the World Cup final at Lord's; you pretend to do it in the garden. And I wasn't there. It hurt.”Last week, when Willie saw the name of England manager Matthew Mott on his phone, his stomach turned over. But this time it was good news that Willie took part in the 15th World Championship in England.
“It came as a bit of a surprise, but a very pleasant one. Four years ago I was at home when I received the news. My wife and children were there, and I was lucky: I got distracted. It was especially important for the whole family to be at home and get the other side of the news,” Willie recalls.
After being fired in 2019, Willie believed his career in England was “probably over”. And so, after his recall against Ireland in the summer of 2020, he vowed to «play every game like it's the last.» It's fun and the laid back attitude probably makes my best cricket.»
Willie regularly came to England & #39 Prepared for the 2019 World Cup, but did not make it to the final squad. Photo: Action Images/Andrew Boyers
Willie says he is not an X Factor cricketer. However, in the 36 ODI matches England have played since the 2019 World Cup, he has been one of England's most impressive players. Indeed, the improvement in his ODI figures in this World Cup cycle has been astounding. If in the 2015-2019 season he averaged 18.6 points at bat and 36.3 with the ball, then in this cycle Willie is averaging 37 points at bat and 22.9 with the ball.
“I have no idea,” Willie laughs when these numbers are called to him. However, he explains, he focused on becoming a more versatile bowler, able to contribute more after the new ball stopped swinging. Willie's cutters and wide Yorkies made him more unpredictable and effective in serves.
“I spent more time trying to improve those areas of my game. They said from above that there are areas where I need to contribute.»
«It can be hard to sit on the sidelines while on tour»
Such adaptability will be crucial in India, where Willie is performing well in the Indian Premier -league. “It's about adapting to what's in front of us and to game situations. Whichever team does it best will make a big difference in the competition.”
Willie's value as a team player is one of the reasons he was selected for the World Cup. He currently competes with Rhys Topley and Gus Atkinson for the fourth place in the England squad, complementing Chris Wookes, Mark Wood and Sam Curran.
“It can be difficult to sit on the sidelines during tours and not play. We love this game because we enjoy playing it, not because we enjoy filling bottles with water and handing out bananas. It's what you bring to the table, how you handle things, if your job that day is to help the guys or score in goal and do something for the team. It's not that we always like it, but it's about what the team needs.» Although he did not compete in last year's T20 World Cup final, he enjoyed being part of the England squad.
«Players without a major contract are in a much better financial position in franchised cricket»
As a young boy and watching his father Peter play international cricket, playing for England was Willie's «only ambition». However, for the players in his position (he has an additional contract that is substantially less lucrative than a central contract), playing for England is costly. In bilateral series, playing for England comes with an opportunity cost: in order to represent their country, players must forgo larger potential rewards in franchised cricket. jpg» />Willie plays for the Welsh Fire in the Hundred team. Photo: Getty Images/Ryan Hiscott
“I played for England for eight years. years – I think I had one main contract,” Willie explains. “I will probably go to the World Cup and I will have to think things over for the next 12 months and I will not have a contract with the England team. It's difficult. Players in my position are much, much better off financially playing franchised cricket than international cricket.”
Earlier this year, Willie was among the players who pulled out of a Bangladesh tour. “If I went on this tour for very little money. I could sit on the bench, get injured and not go to the IPL. You must weigh these things. I don't know what the answer is. But I definitely fall into the category where the lack of a central contract makes it difficult to make decisions.»
«Do I carry drinks with me or do I get paid much more to play cricket?»
Alex Hales retired from international cricket earlier this month. Willie believes that more players without centralized contracts could consider making the same decision.
“I don't know what budgets are or how the ECB manages them, but there will surely come a time when people, including me, , think what is the best thing to do? Do I carry drinks or play cricket and get a lot more?
“The bottom line is that if I go on without recognition under the England central contract, it will probably be decided soon that you actually have to make hay while the sun is shining, right? You? So I'm going to have to think of myself and my family first.”
Willie hasn't been offered a multi-franchising contract yet, but he says if there was, it would be hard to tell. no.
“Without the contract with the ECB, it would be really easy. If I do not receive a salary from the ECB for a certain period of time, and someone else wants to, it will not be difficult.
“It is sentimentally obvious that we want to play cricket for our country. The shift happens when you move to a later stage of your career or don't play regularly for your country. I don't know what it looks like or how I'm going to deal with it.”
In the meantime, these more important questions can wait.
“Four years ago, I sat and looked at the guys. lift the trophy full of mixed emotions,” Willie recalls. «I would give my left hand to be there and be a part of it.» England will be glad he didn't. “I am very happy that I was chosen this time.”
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