Kent Messenger Maidstone

Denly pleased to take over top slot

JOE ALL TIME KENT T20 RUN SCORER

- By Josh Fordham

Joe Denly was delighted to become Kent’s all-time leading run scorer in T20 cricket after his half-century against Sussex on Friday.

Denly hit 52 in that abandoned match and went past Darren Stevens’ club record in the process.

It was also his 28th career T20 halfcentur­y and he moves on to 3,135 runs in a Kent shirt.

Denly said: “It’s a great feat to get there and pass a club legend like Darren Stevens. Had he played a few games this year I probably wouldn’t have passed him. ‘It’s a great feat to get there and pass a club legend like Darren Stevens’

“It’s great to break records and I’m sure when I’m finished playing it won’t be too long before someone breaks that.

“Hopefully, I can try and score as many runs as possible and make it as hard as possible for these young lads coming through.”

The match with Sussex on Friday was abandoned due to heavy rain and thundersto­rms after just 11.2 overs were bowled with Kent in a healthy position on 99-2.

Denly was stumped off Rashid Khan’s bowling shortly before the match was interrupte­d. He said: “It’s just unfortunat­e we couldn’t get a game in. Sussex are a good side with a range of internatio­nal bowlers so it’s pleasing to get off to a start like that against a quality attack.

“You just have to try and watch him (Rashid Khan) closely. He doesn’t give much away in terms of trying to pick him.

“He’s a world class bowler and has proved that over the last couple of years. Tonight was no different and I was disappoint­ed to get out to him.

“We would much rather have rainaffect­ed games when we are at the top than at the bottom when you need to catch up on results.

“Any team in this South Group can be dangerous on the day. Surrey and Sussex would be right up there with the strongest.

“We probably got away with a point against Surrey but tonight would have been interestin­g if we got a full game in.”

The Sussex match also marked the end of a disappoint­ing Canterbury Cricket Week for the team.

Denly said: “The last week or so has been disappoint­ing in terms of the cricket we’ve played.

“We started the season well and have got ourselves in good positions in the Championsh­ip and this T20 competitio­n as well.

“There’s a great opportunit­y to start again and push for silverware in both.”

 ?? Picture: Chris Davey ?? Joe Denly hits out against Sussex on Friday night
Picture: Chris Davey Joe Denly hits out against Sussex on Friday night
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