David Willey: I want to make England new ball position my own
Tuesday 17 November 2015 12:42, UK
England seamer David Willey wants to make a new-ball spot his own after returning career-best figures of 3-25 in Friday's 95-run victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international.
Eoin Morgan's side levelled the four-match series at 1-1 as Pakistan, set 284 to win, folded to 188 all out after Willey reduced the hosts to 10-2.
Willey, who has won eight caps since making his ODI debut against Ireland in the summer, told Sky Sports' Nick Knight that he is comfortable with the responsibility of bowling first up.
"I'm still stood at the end of my mark having a conversation with myself but I certainly do enjoy having the new ball in my hand and trying to get it swinging," said Willey, ahead of the third ODI in Sharjah on Tuesday.
"I didn't quite get it right in the first game - I didn't bowl particularly well so they got some freebies - but in the second game, I got it to swing and I got my rewards for that.
"They seemed to try and sit in and almost just see Reece (Topley) and myself off. So I don't know if they're looking to go harder in the middle but I'm not going to complain if they're just sitting on the crease, because it helps me out."
Willey - who left Northamptonshire at the end of the season after securing a transfer to County Championship title-holders Yorkshire - was due to be part of the England Lions squad to face Pakistan A later this winter.
But the 25-year-old will now strive to hone his all-round skills - a role he is familiar with in domestic rather than international cricket - while playing for Perth Scorchers in next month's Big Bash League.
Live One-Day International Cricket
"Batting down the order [for England] is a new challenge for me - to go in at the end and try to clear the ropes from ball one is something I'm going to have to work hard at to become good at," he said.
"But certainly I want to do well with the new ball and make that position my own. It's when I like bowling in one-day cricket, but there's a lot of talk about whether I'm quick enough so I just need to make sure I'm swinging the ball and hitting the good areas."
Watch Pakistan take on England in the third one-day international live from 10.30am on Tuesday on Sky Sports 2 and across Sky Sports' digital platforms.
