England seamer all-rounder David Willey said he is ready to do the “donkey” work if it will help him secure a place in the team for the upcoming ODI World Cup after missing out on the last edition.
The 33-year-old has been included in England’s provisional squad for the World Cup, which starts on October 5, but says he will be take nothing for granted until he is on the plane to India.
Willey had been in the running for England’s 2019 World Cup squad but was ditched to make way for Barbados-born pacer Jofra Archer. England must finalise their squad by September 28.
“I’m happy to be here now, but until you’re on that flight out there, you can’t rest on your laurels,” Willey said on Tuesday.
Willey has managed to stay injury-free for much of his career and said his robustness could be crucial for England over the six-week Cup. “Call me a donkey if you want, but to take a donkey out to what could be a tough trip, you just might need a donkey,” he said.
“Staying fit is probably an asset to the group, with guys who sometimes struggle with niggles and things. They keep going, donkeys, don’t they?”
England begin their title defence against 2019 runners-up New Zealand on October 5.
