Keaton’s England career not over

LANCASHIRE’S Keaton Jennings has been told his England career is not over – despite being dropped for the second time in his Test career.

Just four games ago, the Red Rose opener Jennings made a determined 146 not out in Galle, but continued struggles against seam bowling and the increasingly predictable nature of his dismissals have seen him axed for the second Test against the West Indies in favour of the uncapped Joe Denly.

England had been hoping Jennings and Rory Burns would be able to forge a long-term partnership, but a double failure in last week’s heavy defeat in Barbados persuaded them to change tack.

Denly will become England’s oldest debutant batsman since Alan Wells 24 years ago.

Captain Joe Root made a point of telling Jennings he still had a future with England, but it is likely he will need to make technical improvements and county runs to match before they look again.

“I don’t think it is final for Keaton at all,” he said.

“It’s been a tricky start for him over here and he’ll be disappointed to miss out but he’s got a very good attitude.

“I’m sure he’ll go away, work on his game and keep looking to improve. I definitely don’t think it’s the end for him.

“It’s never easy...he felt he might not have been far away but we’re out here to win.

“We want to win the series and we’ve got to make sure we’re proactive in doing that.

“It’s a great opportunity for Joe, he’s definitely got a chance to show what he’s capable of.”

Denly made his international return after almost a decade away in a standalone Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in October, but was unused throughout subsequent Test series.