Denly: I want to play my way to Ashes debut at age of 32
JOE DENLY wants to prove he is more than just a “stop-gap” opener for England as he dreams of playing in the Ashes.
If he impresses in St Lucia this week following a disappointing debut in Antigua, the 32-year-old could yet go on to become one of the more unlikely stars later this summer against Australia.
England captain Joe Root has repeatedly made it clear that the series in the West Indies is all that matters and the Ashes should be at the back of everyone’s mind.
But at this stage of his career, Denly would not be human if he wasn’t thinking about what a big score in the Third Test might mean for him.
“I hope they see a future in me opening the batting in Test cricket. It’s a great opportunity these two Tests and for me to try and make that position mine,” said the Kent batsman.
“There’s a lot of time before the next Test in England, but this Test coming up is a great chance to get a score and make Tests ODIs T20Is myself a realistic option going into the summer.
“This is absolutely the ultimate. I’d take this all day long. For me, it has to be about this next game.
“Playing in an Ashes series is an absolute dream and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about it.
“It is important not to think about it as much as possible 1 9 6 Inns 2 9 6 23 268 40 HS 17 67 20 11.50 29.77 6.66 and keep a real focus on trying to get a score in this next Test and prove to those guys who think I am a stop-gap or makeshift opener that I have got a future in Test cricket.”
Denly may have only played the one match, but he has found himself at the centre of a recurring batting nightmare for England where spectacular collapses appear to be part of the team’s DNA.
There have been meetings and discussions among the batsmen and the management, who are desperate to see some kind of improvement 27.05 65.52 86.95 by the weekend, if not to prove something to others then at least to themselves.
“The way the guys work and dedicate time to their game, I’ve got no doubt that this batting group will turn things around,” he added.
“I think as professional and international cricketers, we take a hell of a lot of pride in our own performance and it is more about proving it to ourselves more than anything.
“You’re expected to perform, that is the nature of international cricket, so I don’t think it is a case of trying to prove anything to anyone else but ourselves.”