David Willey signs three-year contract extension with Yorkshire

Having missed out on England's World Cup squad, the left-arm seamer just wants tranquillity in his career at Headingley

David Willey has signed a three-year contract extension with Yorkshire until 2022.

The left-arm seamer's deal was due to expire at the end of the current season but an agreement has been reached to keep him at Headingley.

Willey was omitted from England's World Cup squad after the final selection announcement but that decision has benefitted Yorkshire, having played in four of their last five completed County Championship matches, taking 11 wickets.

With his deal running out at the climax of the year, there had been speculation the 29-year-old could leave but Willey insists he didn't want another period of upheaval.

“I’m run off my feet with two young kids as well, so it’s always nice to get the contract sorted,” Willey, who is missing the clash with Essex for personal reasons, said. “I had no intention of moving on anywhere else and I love playing my cricket up here.

VISIT THE COUNTY HUB: Your one-stop shop for English domestic cricket

“It has been a difficult four years being in and out through the summers and I’ve not really been settled. With things moving forward, it’s really nice that I’m going to be here for an extended period and hopefully I’m around and can contribute to some silverware.

“Over the past three or four years I’ve probably been more unsettled on the pitch at Yorkshire, being in and out with England. That makes it hard to feel part of the group.

"When you move to a new county it takes time to bed and for you to feel part of it, so moving forward this summer I’m going to be available a lot more and over the next few years I imagine it will be much the same."

Yorkshire’s director of Cricket Martyn Moxon added: “He's a three-dimensional cricketer across all three formats and will be a crucial member of the squad going forward as we develop. 

"He’ll be an integral part of the squad and a key member. As we’ve seen with him playing regularly, recently, his contributions in four-day cricket have been important and the more he plays the better he’ll get."

For more outstanding county coverage, try The Cricketer for three issues free this summer. Click here to sign up today