David Willey: "It was just special to be playing for England again"

For Willey, his performance - the best figures in one-day internationals on this ground - was on a par with simply being back in the team after he was dropped just prior to the World Cup last year

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"It was just special to be playing for England again. My main priority was to enjoy it."

David Willey reflected on an impressive return to the national white-ball side after claiming his best ODI figures of 5 for 30 in England's six-wicket victory over Ireland at the Ageas Bowl.

Willey routed the Irish top order, claiming four scalps in his first 21 balls, as England reduced their guests to 28 for 5.

In the end, the tourists could only post 172, of which Sam Billings and Eoin Morgan made light work in the chase.

For Willey, his performance - the best figures in one-day internationals on this ground - was on a par with simply being back in the team after he was dropped just prior to the World Cup last year.

"It was great to be back out there with the shirt on with the three lions on," he said.

"Circumstances have given me this opportunity. I didn’t get a look in over the winter, I missed out there. The extended break has been really good for me. The timing for all of this has worked out perfectly for me and it was the icing on the cake.

"It is an unbelievable squad – you just have to look at the guys who didn’t get a look-in and some of the guys who have gone home from this camp trying to find a way.  It is credit to English cricket how many players there are trying to get in the side."

^{David Willey claimed 5-30 against Ireland}

Willey spent some of his downtime over the winter analysing where his action had deteriorated in recent years and consulting with Yorkshire bowling coach Richard Pyrah.

They established that his release point had shifted by a full foot since he broke into the England team in 2015, and began work rectifying the issue.

While there was not an abundance of swing as a result for Willey at the Ageas Bowl today - the allrounder revealed that the ball was roughed up early on and didn't give him much assistance - his disciplined lengths and variations of line caused Ireland problems.

"Fortunately he [Pyrah] has invested some time in me. I feel like I am moving in the right direction – my best cricket is probably still to come."

MORSHEAD: Willey's smile is back, and the recovery from World Cup heartbreak has begun

If that is the case, there is a chance Willey can make up for the heartbreak of seeing his World Cup dream slip between his fingers.

"I had been part of that group for four years leading up to the World Cup," he said. "I was pretty realistic, I wasn’t bowling as well as I liked in the lead up and we knew someone would miss out so it was going to be disappointing for whoever that would be and I knew I was in contention to be one of the guys missing out. 

"That is part and parcel of international sport. There are tough decisions that have to be made and we are on the receiving end of it.

"Being left out didn’t mean I didn’t want them to do well. Obviously it was bitterly disappointing as that’s what you dream about as a kid, going out and playing in a World Cup on home soil. I'm still disappointed I wasn’t part of that but obviously it was brilliant for them and English cricket."

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