Denly proving he is no ordinary Joe
RORY BURNS and Joe Denly have been handed the chance to fill Alastair Cook’s boots in Sri Lanka this winter.
As national selector Ed Smith’s panel came up with the first candidates to start England’s new era after Cook’s 161-Test career ended this month, Surrey left-hander Burns was a predictable choice.
But 32-year-old Kent batsman Denly – a year younger than Cook – returns to the fold eight years since the last of his nine ODIs and five T20s for England.
Whereas Burns stockpiled 1,319 runs at an average of 69 for Surrey in their romp to the county championship title, Denly’s 36.27 average for promoted Kent stated a less obvious case for his recall.
He said: “I always held on to the hope that my opportunity hadn’t gone – and thankfully it hasn’t. I’ve batted in several positions and that’s probably helped my selection.”
Burns said: “I’ve had a lot of questions about it, so it was nice to get the call and get on with my business. I can’t wait to get going.”
Keaton Jennings, Cook’s last opening partner, keeps his place in a 16-man squad despite a poor summer.
“Rory really deserves his chance,” said Smith. “He has impressed everyone over the past five years.
“I played with Joe when he was a very young man and you could see he was a fantastic natural athlete.
“With players who get chances late in their careers you want to know that touch of class is there, and it definitely is with him.”
Warwickshire fast bowler Olly Stone is also called up.
TEST SQUAD:
WARWICKSHIRE clinched promotion to Division One of the county championship by drawing with Sussex at Hove yesterday. Batsman Dominic Sibley scored an unbeaten 144.