DRAGONS’ DEN Joe’s all business... but he admits ‘Stokesy’s miracle made me cry’

THERE was hardly a dry eye in the house as Ben Stokes completed the miracle of Headingley – and that even extended to the England dressing room.

Joe Denly was one of those England players who thought the game was up, only for Stokes to play the innings of a lifetime against the Aussies in Leeds back in August.

And, after the winning run was struck, the Kent man admits that he had a lump in his throat as Stokes sank to his knees – and the crowd went barmy.

Denly recalled: “To be involved in that game and to witness one of the best Test-match knocks ever was amazing.

“There were so many emotions throughout the day.

“We had been in a good position and then we lost a couple of wickets.

“I was pacing around the changing room and the toilet area for a good few hours.

“When Leachy [ Jack Leach] went out to bat, I came out on to the viewing area, really because I wanted to see the Australian reaction when they got that final wicket.

“At that point the Ashes were gone.

“But then they started to build a partnership, so I went back to my place in the changing room and started pacing around again!

“I was very emotional actually once Stokesy hit those winning runs ( below).

“I’ve never been that kind of cricketer, but that was tears-intears in the-eyes stuff.”

Denly wasn’t alone.

In reality, Stokes’s miracle cle innings only delayed the Ashes pain. Defeat in n the following Test at Old Trafford sealed the fate of the urn, although a draw at the Oval saw Joe oe Root’s side draw a thrilling series. es.

Denly was among England’s ngland’s leading run- scorers in n the series. And he will fly out t for the opening Twenty20 leg g of the tour of New Zealand in the knowledge that he is now key to England’s plans. s.

All at an age, 33, when n he might have been en forgiven for thinking his ship had sailed.

Denly said: “I’ve always ways believed in myself, particularly cularly having scored a couple of 50s in Test cricket before this summer.

“But, as a top-order batter, you’re always striving for more. I got a few starts against Australia, but I wasn’t able to capitalise on them and go on and get that big score.

“I was moved up and down the order a little bit, but being juggled around and still being able to contribute was probably one of the things that pleased me most.”

With a busy Test winter against New Zealand and South S Africa, Denly will seek to cem cement a place under new coach Chri Chris Silverwood.

But first up i is tonight’s liv live ‘draft’ for Th The Hundred com competition for ne next summer.

E Eight teams for the 100-ball form format will take turns turn to pick star stars like Denly – wh whose reserve is set se at £60,000. He said: “It’s a great chance to try out something new and an to earn a bit of money as well.”