DENLY REFLECTS ON HIS RECORD-BREAKING KNOCK

Kent Spitfires batsman Joe Denly said the reaction of the home crowd to his record-breaking ton against Essex helped make it even more special.

The opener’s knock of 127 at Chelmsford last Thursday came from just 66 balls with seven sixes and 11 fours.

It was Kent’s highest ever individual T20 score and the 31-year-old’s third century in the competition, another club best.

He and Daniel Bell-drummond (80 not out from 49 balls, with seven fours and two maximums) shared a world record opening stand of 207 as Kent totalled 221-2 on their way to an 11-run win which at that stage kept alive their hopes of making the quarter-finals.

The partnership was the third highest for any wicket in the history of the competition and beat the 163 the pair put on earlier in the season against Surrey at The Oval which is the club record for any wicket.

Denly admitted he was both delighted and surprised to be given a standing ovation by the Chelmsford crowd.

He added: “It’s probably one of the most hostile places to come but I got a special feeling walking off with 127 to my name and to have everyone standing up and applauding was a great moment.

“I’m delighted with my partnership with Daniel at the top. We work well together and run pretty well. To get a world record is something special.

“It was close in the end but I thought our bowlers came back and held their nerve and managed to get the win.”

Denly was full of praise for seamer Calum Haggett, who helped peg Essex back after they had got away to flyer, bowling his four overs for just 18. His were the most economical figures on the night and Denly said. “He was sensational in those middle overs and probably turned the game for us.

“He has outbowled one of the best bowlers in the world in Mohammad Amir (he took 1-20 from his four overs). Hopefully, he takes a lot from it.”

Needing more than 11 an over to win, the hosts flew out of the blocks, posting 118 from the first 8.2 overs and at 137-2 with 8.2 overs remaining, they still looked favourites.

Varun Chopra, whose 116 came from 59 balls with nine sixes, was the key wicket and he was out at 191- 4 when he was caught off Jimmy Neesham by Imran Qayyum.

Adam Milne was left to defend 16 from the final over and after Qayyum’s third catch of the night had removed Ryan ten Doeschate, the Kiwi tied up Paul Walter and James Foster in the final four balls.