Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Denly’s hungry for more
Joe Denly is grateful to have been handed a long-term contract extension at Kent. Denly, from Whitstable, is set to stay until at least the end of the 2025 season. That’s quite a significant commitment from the hierarchy to a 37-year-old. Academy graduate Denly captained Kent Spitfires last season in their triumphant Royal London One-day Cup campaign and remains an integral part of the squad.
“I’m delighted to commit more years to Kent,” he said. “I’ve played here, obviously, from a very young age. I suppose, when you get to my age, it’s nice to have that backing from the club that I’ve still got a few more years left in me.
“So I’m looking forward to, hopefully, contributing to a very exciting squad and, hopefully, bringing more trophies to the club.”
Denly predicts there will be a huge summer ahead for both county and country, with a home Ashes series around the corner. And the batting all-rounder recalls what he remembers of the 2019 home series which saw Australia retain the urn after the series had been drawn 2-2. “That’s always spoken about when it’s an Ashes summer,” he said.
“I think it’s exciting for every English player. You dream of playing in an Ashes series and I’ve been lucky enough to play in one myself.
“It’s an incredible time of the year. I’ll always remember that first ball bowled at Edgbaston where I had goosebumps on arms kind of stuff. The noise and atmosphere in those games is quite incredible.
“I’m sure a lot of young English guys are hopeful of being part of that.”
England head into the series, having adopted a new attacking style under skipper Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon Mccullum.
Denly, who has 16 One-day International England caps and 15 Test caps to his name, said: “The way they’re playing at the minute, for every county player, it’s exciting.
“We talk about the style they play and I think the message is quite clear. It’s about taking away that fear of failing and [having to] win at all costs. I suppose, you’re going into games, and having the total backing of coaches to express yourself.
“And if you are feeling tentative, always take the positive option and put it back on the opposition. More often than not, you’ll come out on top and I think that team’s showing it.
“I’d love to be playing in that team.”
There are now plenty of opportunities for cricketers to play in various leagues around the worlds.
For dad Denly, however, that’s perhaps easier said than done and the chance to join the United States’ new Major League Cricket hasn’t crossed his mind. “I think, in the winters, it’s a bit different,” he noted. “Personally, as well, I have a young family now. I’m a fatherof-three so it’s pretty tough to get away with going to two or three competitions in the winter! “I have to be careful and plan my winters around my family especially. But at the moment, in terms of the English summer, all my focus is on playing for Kent. “I haven’t even thought about this new USA League. “I’m contracted on an all-format contract so my commitments are all with Kent at the minute.”