Latest Cricket News: David Willey, the veteran English fast bowler, formally announced his retirement from international Cricket, following England’s dismal campaign in the ongoing 2023 Cricket World Cup. Willey disclosed his decision to retire from all forms of International Cricket midway through the ongoing competition. The marquee left-arm pacer marked his final ODI appearance last Saturday, against Pakistan.
David Willey was unimpressed by the England Cricket Board’s ignorance in handing him a central contract, ultimately triggering a retirement call at the age of 33. The southpaw, moreover, revealed further rationale behind his astounding International Cricket retirement decision in a recent chat with English broadcaster Sky Sports.
David Willey signed off from International Cricket in a fitting fashion, by bagging a Player of the Match award in the Pakistan affair. Meanwhile, in this article, let’s take a look at three marquee players, including Willey, to won the Player of the Match award in their final One-Day International appearance.
- Irfan Pathan
Ace India all-rounder Irfan Pathan played the last game of his marathon One-Day International career against Sri Lanka, in 2012. In the final fixture of the 5-match series in Sri Lanka, the 39-year-old Gujarat campaigner produced heroics both with the bat and ball.
Batting first, Irfan Pathan played a cameo worth 29 runs, powering India to a formidable 294-run total before claiming a five-wicket haul. The Indian team registered a 20-run triumph over the Islanders in the exact game, with Pathan headlining the victory.
- Desmond Haynes
Desmond Haynes, the legendary Caribbean opening batter, enjoyed a fairytale conclusion to his glorious ODI career. In an away faceoff against England, Haynes hammered a stellar hundred in the face of a quality bowling attack.
The 67-year-old right-hander ranks among the elite list of very few players to reach the three-figure mark in both debut and the farewell game in 50-over Cricket.
- David Willey
As mentioned above, David Willey’s remarkable final ODI appearance will be remembered for a long time. Willey took three crucial wickets to help England fold Pakistan to a total of 244 during the run chase 338 runs, in Kolkata.
The 33-year-old had also chipped in with a 15-run knock off just 5 balls to provide his team a final flourish in the last league game of their World Cup 2023 campaign.
“One of the reasons behind my retirement call was that I wasn’t offered a contract because they are going in a different direction after the World Cup. Not knowing quite where I stand with England and it’s just taken its toll, and becomes very tiring.” David Willey told Sky Sports
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