Denly wants to set right example

Joe Denly wants to lead by example in Kent’s next match after failing to trouble the scorers in either innings in the defeat to Gloucestershire. The vice-captain, who is leading the side while Sam Billings is at the IPL, was not happy with his performance in the opening match defeat in the Specsavers County Championship. He wants to lead from the front in their next match, which begins at Durham tomorrow (Friday). Denly said: “I’m disappointed I didn’t contribute any runs in the game and I like to lead by example. “This week I was not good enough and I will be looking to put that right against Durham. I’m looking forward to getting off the mark up there. “We are certainly going to have to learn from this game. Durham will be another challenging wicket and it always is at this time of year. We will be trying to find a way to score runs and a method to bat on these wickets. “I don’t think all is lost. We are in a good place and need to start building a bit of momentum.” The 32-year-old was not the only Kent batsman who struggled as the side were bowled out for 64 in their first innings on their way to a fivewicket defeat. Denly said: “There was disappointment to lose the way we did. It was not the ideal start. Having worked pretty well pre-season I thought we were in a good position in terms of our batters and bowlers. “That first day cost us quite a bit. We knew it would be a challenging wicket, as it always is at this stage of the season. We certainly need to improve things and we are going to come up against wickets similar to that in games coming up. “Take nothing away from the Gloucestershire bowlers, they bowled brilliantly well and tested our defence all the way throughout. But we need to improve and find a way to combat those conditions.” After a successful winter playing in T20 tournaments in Bangladesh, Australia and Pakistan, Denly was named Kent’s vice-captain in preseason. He added: “It was a very proud moment and I really enjoyed it. I love playing for Kent and what that means, and enjoy the group of lads we have got. “The result aside there is a pretty good feeling in the camp.”