Denly in pink with Ton for sickly England
● Fit-again star is firing in South Africa ● Overton and Bess answer late SOS call
Joe Denly dismissed “a mild case of man flu” after posting his first century as an England player but emergency call-ups for Craig Overton and Dom Bess are proof the bowling attack’s been hit by symptoms.
England’s first week in South Africa has veered wildly from the intended script, with Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad and Jack Leach all struck down by illness and yet to take the field in either warm-up match.
Five other players and staff have also been unwell, including Denly, but none badly enough to join the trio in lockdown at the team hotel. England have been concerned enough to draft in Somerset paceman Overton and his county colleague Bess just a few days before Christmas in a bid to swell their ranks ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.
On Friday, against South Africa A, Denly was not just fit but firing. He knocked up 103 in his side’s 337 for five, the first time he has reached three figures for his country, albeit in a game that no longer carries first-class status after a request from the depleted tourists.
“I don’t think I’ve had it quite as bad as some of the boys, just a mild case of man flu I think,” Denly said.
“It was fluey symptoms, bunged up, headaches... a bit under the weather. It was quite a sapping heat to be batting out there so I was a bit tired before the end but I’ve loaded up on medication and vitamins and I’m feeling alright.”
The 33-year-old was better than alright for most of his time at the crease, striking 15 boundaries and putting together a chanceless stay until his late run out.
Ollie Pope was even more fluent as he raced to 70 not out, while Rory Burns (56), Ben Stokes (47) and Joe Root (12) were dropped four times between them.
Overton and Bess join up with the team this morning after an overnight flight, and could conceivably play some part over the course of the weekend, but England will be most keen to get Broad and Archer up and running.
“It’s not ideal for those guys not to have taken part in these games but hopefully they’ve rested up well,” said Denly.
“I don’t know, you’d have to ask the doctor, but they’re certainly on the mend and getting better each day.”
Denly’s top score in his 10 Test appearances is the 94 he made at The Oval in the last game of this summer’s Ashes, making an otherwise low-key tour match a memorable occasion.
“It was nice to get that first one,” he said. “It might not be a Test match but a hundred is a hundred.”
England Women, meanwhile, beat Pakistan by 26 runs to win their Twenty20 International series 3-0.
Heading into the match with an unassailable 2-0 lead, Katherine Brunt and Nat Sciver were rested as England took the opportunity to look at a few options ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
It did not affect the team’s performance as England completed a whitewash win. Captain Heather Knight was top scorer with 43 as her side scored 170 for three, while Pakistan managed 144 for five in response.
Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn, who’s impressed having been selected for England for the first time on this tour, shared the five wickets between them.
Knight said: “I think it’s been a good tour for us. We’ve found some new players as well.
“Sarah Glenn has really put her hand up and that’s great, it adds to the competition for places and makes us stronger.
“We’re looking forward to thenewyearandthechallenge of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia.”