Joe Denly likely to be ushered off England stage after fluffing lines again | Ali Martin


As so often in his Test career the experienced Kent batsman gave his wicket away after playing himself in with diligence

Joe Denly left the tour of New Zealand last winter believing he would never live down a horror dropped catch on the final day in Hamilton but his second innings dismissal in Southampton’s biosecure bubble may be the moment that eats at away him for longer.

As has been the case for a good deal of his Test career, Denly had got himself set. He had adjusted after his demise on the second day – bowled by one that nipped back from Shannon Gabriel – and though his favoured pull shot had been chancy at times given the variable bounce, he was 69 balls into his work and 29 runs to the good.

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