GOLDEN WONDER I’m a believer after Stokesy miracle’
CRICKET EXCLUSIVE
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 before Stokes played the innings of a lifetime against the Aussies in Leeds back in August.
And, after the winning inning run was struck, the Kent man n admits that he had a lump in his throat as s
Stokes sank to his knees and the crowd owd went barmy.
Emotions s
“To be involved in n that game and to witness one of the best Test- match knocks s ever was amazing,” he said.
“There were so o many emotions throughout ut the day. We were in a good position and then we e lost a couple of wickets.
“I was pacing around ound the changing room and nd the toilet area for a good od few hours.
“When Leachy (Jack ack
Leach) went out to bat,
I came out on to o the viewing area, really because ecause I wanted t o see e t he Australian reaction when they got that final wicket. The Ashes were gone at that point. 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. I’ve never been that kind of cricketer, but that was tears in the eyes stuff.” He wasn’t alone.
In reality, Stokes’ innings only delayed Australia retaining the Ashes.
A defeat to their oldest foes in the following Test at Old Trafford eventually seale sealed England’s Ashes fate, although a d draw at the Oval saw Joe Root’s side draw a th thrilling series.
Denly played a full ro r ole as one of Eng England’s leading runscor scorers in the series.
A And he will fly out f or t he opening Twe Twenty20 leg of the tour of N New Zealand in the kno knowledge that he is now a key figure in Engl England’s future plans. A All at an age when he mi might have been fo forgiven for thinking t that his international s ship had sailed. “I’ve always believed in myself, particularly having scored a couple of 50s in Test cricket before this summer,” said the 33-year-old.
“But, as a top-order batter, you’re always striving for more runs. 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 about the
Ashes.”
Price
With a busy Test winter against New Zealand and South Africa, Denly will be looking to nail down his place under new coach Chris Silverwood.
First up, though, is tonight’s Sky Sport Cricket’s live draft for the Hundred competition for next summer.
Denly will be one of those waiting to see if he’s snapped up by one of the eight franchises – with his reserve price set at £60,000.
“For the English players, it’s a fantastic chance to experience something new and earn a bit of money as well,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.”