DAVID WILLEY is hopeful of winning selection for England’s T20 World Cup in October after lighting up Lord’s on Tuesday night in a landslide Northern Superchargers win over London Spirit in the Hundred.

Willey crunched 81 not out off 40 balls as the Superchargers racked up 155-3 before returning 2-9 from 15 balls in an easy defence. Both wickets came in a 10-ball opening spell.

The all-rounder has enjoyed a productive summer, highlighted by some excellent performances in County Championship cricket for Yorkshire.

But he looks intent on continuing that form for the next couple of months, which will please White Rose fans ahead of the T20 Blast quarter-final later this month, plus four massive Championship games on top.

“I'm always hopeful,” he said when asked about selection for the T20 World Cup in the UAE. “If you’re not hopeful, I think it's time to hang your boots up.

“Obviously I missed out on the last World Cup, so I'd love to play. If the opportunity comes along, that would be great. I'd love to be involved.

"Probably the worst thing that could happen to me in my cricket career has already happened. So if the opportunity comes, I'll absolutely love it. If it doesn't, it's already happened to me once - it wouldn't be the end of the world."

England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan, clearly the man to impress, had a bird’s-eye view of Willey’s heroics as skipper of the Spirit.

“There have been very few occasions Dave has played better than that,” he said. “He's had a fantastic night.

“I recall a warm-up game in Canberra where he hit Nathan Lyon for five consecutive sixes.

“There have certainly been innings where he has opened the batting in T20 cricket and put on significant partnerships at the top. But he's had a great day.

“When players play like that, you have to say, ‘Well played’ and move on.”