Yorkshire's David Willey reveals England ambition as he prepares for Sri Lanka T20 series

Willey, the son of former England man and international umpire David, has been called up to England’s T20 squad for a three-match series against Sri Lanka, starting on Wednesday evening in Cardiff, and is also in the squad for the ODI series which follows.

Fitness permitting, he should reach the 50-cap milestone this summer after bouncing back well from the disappointment of missing the 2019 World Cup win on English soil – even if he admits his most recent call-up was something of a surprise.

“It was unexpected to be honest,” he said. “From a year or two ago, it’s been a rollercoaster. But it’s great to be called back up.

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“I’m in a pretty good place with my game and I’m enjoying my cricket. That’s the most important thing for me, to enjoy it, because I had a period of time where I didn’t want to be near a cricket ground. It will be nice to go and play.

“What I’d really like to do is to play my 50th cap and, if Covid allows, for my dad to give me my 50th cap.

“That would be a special moment, as much for my dad as me. His words would probably be quite short, I’d imagine! But that would be nice.”

In Willey’s Yorkshire absence, Sheffield’s Joe Root will captain the Vikings in their imminent T20 games.