Willey will not be bidding for IPL place as he concentrates on Northants

TURNING HIS BACK ON IPL AUCTION - Northants all-rounder David Willey (Picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

It was reported earlier this week that Willey, along with team-mates Steven Crook and Mohammad Azharullah, were going to take part in the IPL annual player sale on February 12.

If selected, that would mean those players missing anything up to five LV= Championship Division One matches and four Twenty20 fixtures for Northants.

County chief executive David Smith said that the trio could enter the auction with the club’s blessing, saying: “We’ve said all along that we wouldn’t stand in anyone’s way if they wanted to go.

“We wouldn’t take any money from them if they did go and our hope is that they would come back as better players which would help us out.

“Quite simply, it’s a battle that we can’t win (keeping players here) so it’s one that we’re not prepared to fight.”

But Willey has made it clear he is not interested in the IPL or the financial riches it may bring, and that he is focusing solely on getting into top shape for the start of the Northants season.

He tweeted: “@chronsport have published that I’m entering the IPL auction, this is incorrect! I will not be in the auction & will be with @NorthantsCCC!”

Willey has spent the winter working his way back to full fitness after suffering a back injury at the end of last season.

He was forced to pull out of the England Performance Programme squad party that travelled to Australia before Christmas with a lower back injury, but he is expected to be fully fit for the start of the 2014 campaign.