Seamer David Willey takes hat-trick against England to press World Twenty20 claims
Left-arm seamer David Willey pressed his claims for a place in England’s starting XI at the World Twenty20 by snaring a hat-trick against his own team-mates in their final warm-up clash in Mumbai.
Willey was one of four England players to be thrust into action for a Mumbai Cricket Association side as all 15 members of their tournament squad were given game time ahead of Wednesday’s showdown with the West Indies in the competition proper.
Yorkshire all-rounder Willey boosted his chances of assuming death-bowling duties as he dismissed Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan in successive deliveries at the end of the first innings.
Root top-scored for England with 48 as the tourists posted 177-8 from their 20-over allocation. Openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales, together with all-rounder Ben Stokes, all made solid contributions with knocks of more than 30.
England’s total proved enough for victory as the Mumbai Cricket Association XI mustered 163-6 from their 20 overs, despite James Vince, who joined Willey in playing for the hosts in the mix-and-match friendly, amassing 45.