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David Willey Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth28 February 1990

Age34

BirthplaceNorthampton, England

ProfessionCricketer (Bowling all-rounder)

NationalityBritish (English)

Marital statusMarried

SpouseCarolynne Willey

FamilySon - Jacob; Daughter - Heather Willey; Father - Peter Willey; Sister - 1 (elder)

David Willey Biography

Left-arm fast-medium bowling all-rounder David Jonathan Willey is an English cricketer born in Northampton in 1990. Known for his left-handed batting and a

Early life and background

David Jonathan Willey was born on 28 February 1990 in Northampton, England. Raised in a cricketing household, his father is former English cricketer and umpire Peter Willey. David attended Northampton School for Boys and grew up in Northampton, where he developed an early interest in the sport and worked his way through county cricket pathways.

Career

Willey began his professional career with Northamptonshire, making his first appearances for the county in 2009. Initially regarded as a lower‑order batsman who could move the new ball, he took early wickets in county cricket and gradually established himself as a left‑arm fast‑medium bowling all‑rounder. He has played across formats for several domestic teams, including Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, Perth Scorchers, Northern Superchargers, Multan Sultans, Durban Super Giants, Welsh Fire, Rangpur Riders, Pakhtoons, Delhi Bulls, Team Morgan, Team Moeen, Lahore franchise sides, and a range of other T20 clubs.

Willey made his One Day International debut for England on 8 May 2015 against Ireland in Dublin and his T20 international debut on 23 June 2015 against New Zealand in Manchester. He never played Test cricket for England. One of the high points of his international career came in the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, where a late partnership with Moeen Ali produced England’s highest eighth‑wicket partnership in T20 World Cup history (57 runs) and helped England reach the final.

Across franchise cricket, Willey has appeared in the Indian Premier League, making his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings in 2018. He later featured for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and was acquired by Lucknow Super Giants in the 2024 auction. In domestic T20 leagues he has been a regular overseas signing for franchises such as the Perth Scorchers, including stints as the club’s sole overseas player in one season. He captained Northern Superchargers in the inaugural edition of The Hundred in 2021.

Injuries and form fluctuations affected his international continuity; he missed selection for the 2015 World Cup due to injury, and by 2018 he was no longer a regular in England’s ODI side. He was not included in England’s 2019 World Cup squad. On 1 November 2023 Willey announced his retirement from international cricket. His final ODI appearance came on 11 November 2023 against Pakistan at Eden Gardens, where he returned figures of three wickets for 56 from ten overs.

Playing style and records

Willey bats left‑handed and bowls left‑arm fast‑medium. He has been used in both lower and higher batting positions in limited‑overs cricket and has been valued for his ability to swing the ball and contribute useful runs. Statistically, his international record includes 73 ODIs with 100 wickets and 663 runs, and 43 T20 internationals with 51 wickets and 226 runs. His best known partnership is the 57 runs for the eighth wicket in the T20 World Cup alongside Moeen Ali.

Public profile

Off the field, Willey married musician Carolynne Good in November 2016 in an intimate ceremony in Leeds. The couple have two children, a son and a daughter. Willey lists hobbies such as golf, cycling, swimming and trekking. He has spoken publicly about enjoying social occasions and consuming alcoholic beverages on various occasions.

Willey has a visible social media presence and shares aspects of his life on platforms such as Instagram. His sporting temperament has had moments of controversy; in March 2016 he was fined for misconduct for an incident involving on‑field language during a match with Sri Lanka.

Latest updates

In December 2023 Willey was purchased by Lucknow Super Giants in the 2024 IPL auction for Rs. 2 crore, although he later withdrew from the tournament citing personal reasons. Following his retirement from international cricket on 1 November 2023, he has continued to participate in domestic and franchise cricket. His most recent international bowling performance came in his final ODI in November 2023 where he took three wickets.
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Recent Work

Lucknow Super Giants (IPL)

Acquired in the 2024 IPL auction for Rs. 2 crore; remained unavailable for the tournament for personal reasons.

2024
Final ODI for England

Last ODI appearance on 11 November 2023 vs Pakistan at Eden Gardens, taking 3/56 from 10 overs.

2023
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Career Highlights

  1. Made ODI debut for England on 8 May 2015 vs Ireland
  2. Part of England's 2016 T20 World Cup campaign; involved in record eighth‑wicket partnership (57) in T20 World Cup history with Moeen Ali
  3. Captained Northern Superchargers in The Hundred (2021)
  4. Played in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings (2018) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2022–2023)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was David Willey born?

28 February 1990

What is David Willey known for?

Cricketer (Bowling all-rounder)

What is David Willey’s marital status?

Married

Who is David Willey married to?

Carolynne Willey