David Willey must be the one to make way in England's World Cup squad

SIMON HUGHES: Watching him yesterday at Headingley, there was a sense he knew that. He has worked hard to try and find more speed, but, such is the fickleness of the art of swing, that that has often been at the expense of movement

It wasn’t only David Willey’s first spell of four overs for 26 on Sunday that ended his hopes of being part of England’s official World Cup 15. It was also what happened at the other end.

Chris Woakes took 3-0 in a superb early salvo. Admittedly two of those wickets were a bit fortunate (one lbw was only just grazing the stumps and the other was missing them completely) but he posed a constant threat, as if he had re-discovered some of his zip after an injury troubled winter. Willey looked impotent. 

The facts will not be lost on the England selectors, of course. Willey has taken just six wickets in the powerplay overs since the 2017 Champions Trophy at an average of 66. Woakes has three times the number.  

Not that the two were in competition for the final berth in the squad, Woakes was always a certainty, but his incisions were important reassurance.

Like Willey he is a new-ball specialist, someone who finds what modicum of movement the white Kookaburra offers. He is a good foil for the extra pace and life of Jofra Archer and/or Mark Wood (you would imagine those two will rarely play together). Woakes asks different questions. With him reaffirming his early dangers, there is no need for Willey.

Watching him yesterday at Headingley, there was a sense he knew that. He looked downbeat, a little resigned. He has worked hard to try and find more speed, but, such is the fickleness of the art of swing, that that has often been at the expense of movement.

^{Is David Willey to miss out on a World Cup place?}

It is a mug’s game trying to make the Kookaburra swing anyway. His best chance of a future role is helping the Dukes company make more inroads into white-ball cricket (white Dukes balls are being trialled in lower reaches of the World Cricket League and in 50-over second XI cricket. Maybe next year they will be used in England’s new 50-over competition. It would certainly give the beleaguered bowlers a little bit more to work with).

Liam Plunkett and Tom Curran will keep their places in the squad. Plunkett is such a willing contributor and, though he may have lost a little of his pace, he will strain every sinew bowling those important mid-innings overs.

He has a knack of taking wickets and a perennially positive mindset if he doesn’t. Curran is barely quicker than Willey but has so many clever variations, a seriously competitive edge and makes invaluable, and at times, ingenious runs. He is a born winner.  

VISIT THE WORLD CUP PORTAL: Your one-stop shop for the summer spectacular

England will elect to keep both Joe Denly and James Vince in the squad. Vince has valuable experience at the top of the order and is a ready made replacement should Jonny Bairstow or Jason Roy pick up (or aggravate) an injury.

Denly’s leg spin provides cover if Adil Rashid (or Moeen Ali) were temporarily sidelined (though England would call up Liam Dawson as a replacement if either were more significantly injured).

So Willey will get the bad news today. It is hard luck on a player who has been a dedicated and wholehearted part of England’s one-day renaissance. But England have a remarkable array of talent to choose from, and, in any case, he may well be needed at some point in the next six intense weeks.

Our coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is brought to you in association with Cricket 19, the official video game of the Ashes. Pre-order your copy now at Amazon.co.uk