David Willey to return to Northamptonshire on long-term deal

Willey represented Northamptonshire between 2009 and 2015, scoring over 4,000 run and taking 266 wickets in 197 appearances

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David Willey will return to Northamptonshire in 2023 after signing a four-year contract with the club.

The bowling-allrounder made his debut for Northamptonshire against Leicestershire in the 2009 County Championship and went on to make nearly 200 appearances for club in all formats before his departure at the end of the 2015 season.

In 58 first-class outings, the 32-year-old scored 2,052 runs and took 148 wickets at 29.73 while in List A cricket, he scored a further 1,012 runs and picked up 45 wickets in 56 outings.

However, it was in T20 cricket that he really shone. Only Graeme White (83) has taken more wickets for the club than Willey’s 73 while he is one of only 10 players to score more than 1,000 T20 runs for the Steelbacks.

An international level, Willey has played 52 ODIs and 32 T20Is for England, scoring 559 runs and taking 107 wickets.

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David Willey previously represented Northamptonshire between 2009 and 2015 [David Rogers/Getty Images]

"The best journey takes you home," Willey said. "Wantage Road is home. I grew up playing on the outfield, behind the stands and in the groundsman’s shed. When I think back to my first introduction to cricket, I think of Northants.

"Northants supported and nurtured me in my younger years and gave me the opportunities to achieve my childhood dreams.

"During the seven years I’ve been away, I have continued to watch the club closely and found myself celebrating their successes. I always hoped at some stage in my career I would find my way back and I’m excited that the time is now!

"My love and passion for Northamptonshire has always been there and I hope I can give the club more than just my runs and wickets.

"I still have great ambitions in the game, to play at the highest level, to win trophies but also to give back to the club that has given me so much."

Chief executive Ray Payne added: "It’s brilliant to be able to confirm the signing of David Willey and to bring him back to Northamptonshire. It’s a significant move that makes our ambitions for the professional squad really clear.

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David Willey currently plays for Yorkshire [Nigel Roddis/Getty Images]

"We’ve already seen what he’s able to do for the Steelbacks and the international experience David has gained in white-ball cricket further strengthens our squad and really supports our goals of bringing more trophies at Wantage Road."

Meanwhile, Yorkshire's interim managing director of cricket, Darren Gough, admitted he was sorry to see Willey go: "The club was keen to keep Dave at Headingley, but unfortunately were unable to match Northants’ offer.

"We proactively engaged with Dave on his return from the IPL at the end of May, but were not able to make an offer until our new board were in place. Since our first cricket strategy meeting with the new board, we have begun negotiations on a number of contracts with players and look forward to making some exciting announcements in the coming weeks.

"Everyone at Yorkshire would like to thank Dave for his time at the club and wish him all the very best for the future."

Willey’s homecoming will add international calibre to Northamptonshire’s squad and while his involvement in first-class cricket and the Royal London Cup will likely be restricted by IPL and The Hundred commitments, respectively, his T20 talents could prove invaluable.

A reliable pinch-hitter as well as a solid short-format bowler, Willey has 178 runs – including two half-centuries - at a strike rate of 178 for Yorkshire in 2022 and the potential partnership between himself and Josh Cobb, who is scoring at 152.25 this season, should excite Northants fans.

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