Denly flops to leave door open for Dan

JOE DENLY yesterday inadvertently gave England a compelling reason to decide that planning for their Ashes top-order future really should start now.

On the day England breathed a sigh of relief when Sam Curran tested negative for Covid-19, Denly provided a smaller headache by failing to nail down his place for the first Test. Denly’s dismissal to his second ball on the final day of England’s intrasquad warm-up game leaves the selectors agonising over how to replace Joe Root when they today name their squad to take on West Indies at the Ageas Bowl.

Deliberations should revolve around whether Denly really is the best man to go in at No3 — not just next Wednesday, but against Australia in 18 months. Rory Burns, who made 35 yesterday for Jos Buttler’s team in his first game back from injury, has enough credit to make an immediate return to the top order alongside Dom Sibley.

And with Denly still struggling to prove he is capable of more than only lasting a hundred or so balls in a Test innings, the case for England to be bold and bring in Dan Lawrence (right) next week is an exciting one.

Captain Root is at home in Sheffield awaiting the birth of his second child.

It was perhaps revealing to see Ollie Pope promoted to four yesterday, where he made an unbeaten 55 before Buttler declared for the second time in the match with his side on 200 for six. Stand-in captain Ben Stokes’ team then responded with 157 for four before the teams bumped elbows on a draw. Pope could now bat in Root’s place next week with Crawley at three and Lawrence at six. For now the Essex man, who made 58 in the first innings after starring for the Lions in Australia last winter, is at least expected to be included in what will probably be a 15-man squad. Seven reserves remain in the Ageas Bowl bubble. Curran, who was put into isolation on Thursday after suffering sickness, returns to training and will be monitored by the team doctor before Covid testing with the squad tomorrow.