David Willey desperate to create new World Cup memories

NICK HOWSON: After being ditched from the provisional squad for the 50-over tournament in 2019, the left-arm seamer has a fresh perspective

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David Willey has firmly put aside his disappointment at missing out on England's 50-over World Cup triumph on home soil in 2019 and is ready to change the narrative by leading the team to the 20-over title.

Willey was ditched from the provisional squad two years ago and replaced by Jofra Archer, the Barbados-born quick who earlier that year had become eligible for selection.

The Yorkshire left-arm quick had been a virtual ever-present between tournaments, playing 46 one-day internationals before being jettisoned at the 11th hour.

Heading into the men's T20 World Cup, co-hosted by Oman and the United Arab Emirates, there was no late snub for the 31-year-old who is a key component of Eoin Morgan's squad.

He admits to having done plenty of soul-searching since the omission and restored some enjoyment to his international cricket.

"I'm very lucky to have my wife there as well as the kids to give me a bit of perspective and that support away from cricket that I needed at that time," he admitted. "It has certainly made me a better person. 

"I don't think anything that happens in my cricketing career will be as bad or disappointing as that. 

"It's what you grow up as a kid, you want to play in a home World Cup, it's what you play in the garden it's what you play in your living room as a kid playing in a World Cup final. 

"To be part of it for four years and to miss out was disappointing. The personal growth from me there on and just refocusing back on just enjoying my cricket has been massive for me and is probably why I am sitting here today playing for England.

He added: "Leading into that World Cup I was looking over my shoulder thinking if I don't get a five-for or if my economy rate is not really good or whatever I'm probably going to be out of the team and out of the World Cup. 

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Willey missed out in 2019 after the arrival of Archer

"You end up not enjoying your time here. You put yourself under so much pressure. I'm playing every game as if it is my last and really savouring the moment of pulling on that England shirt because it is not something you get to do every day and it is a special occasion every time you do it. 

"When I finish playing for England I want to have some fond memories."

Among the main challenges facing England's bowling battery, which is without Archer for the showcase tournament due to injury, will be dealing with the evening dew which is expected to dominate matches at the three Super 12 venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

Willey says England will put in place special provisions to deal with the moisture, which occurs on the outfield because of the difference in temperature between the ground and the air.

"Moving forward we've got to think about how we keep our hands dry, our arms dry and dry the ball and also be able to bowl with the wet ball in the proper games coming up," he explained.

"Even if it is dunking balls in buckets and catching, fielding and bowling with these wet balls. We're probably getting some more towels for the heavy sweaters, headbands, and things. 

"There are things we can do. It is never going to be perfect but it is putting things in place to make it manageable on the field and also practice with the wet ball.

"If spinners are trying to grip the ball it is going to be a challenge if it is soaking wet. 

"The pitches have typically been slow and difficult against spin in the middle so they've going to play obviously and they're a big part of our game.

"The biggest thing for the seamers is towards the back end when you're sweating the most is about being confident about bowling yorkers. The margin for error is so small it becomes challenging and you can become a little bit nervous about bowling no balls and flat ones when it is wet."

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