David Willey quits Yorkshire CCC to return to home club Northamptonshire

In the latest turn of events, the England bowler David Willey has decided to quit Yorkshire to return to his home-town county, Northamptonshire at the end of this season. 

This comes as a major blow for the White Roses club as David Willey has been their regular face in the limited-overs cricket.   

Darren Gough, the Yorkshire interim managing director of cricket, reckoned that the club had tried hard to keep the all-rounder stick with Yorkshire, but they failed to match the offer of the 32-year-old. 

"The Club was keen to keep Dave at Headingley but unfortunately were unable to match Northants' offer," Gough said. 

"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 was in place." 

Gough also revealed that Yorkshire is currently busy reconciling the contracts with players, and they can make some enthralling announcements soon. He further expressed gratitude to Willey for his time with the club and wished him the best for the future. 

"Since our first cricket strategy meeting with the new board, we have begun negotiations on several 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." 

The English all-rounder is currently in Holland along with his other Yorkshire teammates Dawid Malan and Adil Rashid as England tour the Netherlands for the three-match ODI series, starting from Friday (June 17). 

Willey left Northamptonshire for Headingley ahead of the 2016 season to have an experience of playing with some of the best players in the country and signed a contract extension in 2019. 

On making a comeback to Wantage Road, Willey said that the Northants have supported and nurtured him in his early days, and he always hoped to return to his home club at some stage in his career.  

"The best journey takes you home. Wantage Road is home. I grew up playing on the outfield, behind the stands, and in the groundsman's shed," Willey said in a statement released by Northamptonshire. 

"When I think back to my first introduction to cricket, I think of Northants. They supported and nurtured me in my younger years and gave me the opportunities to achieve my childhood dreams," he added.

"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 have 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," the all-rounder concluded. 

David Willey was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he featured in 4 matches and accumulated only 18 runs and a solitary wicket.