Joe Denly Has Been Part Of England's Consistent And Solid Batting Performances: Ed Smith

The English selectors announced the 13-man squad for the first of the three Tests against the West Indies and expectedly Joe Denly found a place in a mostly anticipated way. As much as the likes of Ben Stokes and Joe Root have been crucial to England’s success in the Test arena, Joe Denly has been too, albeit in an unsung manner. And selector Ed Smith has justified his decision of including him.

Also Read: Phil Simmons Wants West Indies To Draw Inspiration From Headingley 2017 Victory Ahead Of The Test Series

Despite playing 14 Tests, Joe Denly has not amassed a century and averages a mediocre 30 with 94 as his best. However, amid the fragile top-order of England for a while, at number three, the 34-year old has helped weather the storm, batting in an old-fashioned way. Denly has played an instrumental role in more occasions than one in neutralising the new-ball advantage for the opposition by digging in deep.

After unveiling the 13-member squad for the first Test in Southampton, Ed Smith stated that Denly would be keen to convert the starts into something substantial. However, he understands that the batting all-rounder has contributed to the team’s batting performances.

“As a top-order batter, Joe would obviously love to convert those starts into hundreds and big hundreds – that goes for any batsman – but also it is fully understood that he has contributed to good team batting performances,” Smith said as quoted by Times of India.

“Joe Denly has been a big part of that” : Ed Smith

England’s resurgent batting at the top of the order in the South African tour has provoked Smith to credit Joe Denly as well, who he thinks has been a part of it. The Kent batsman may still need to get a significant score considering Joe Root would be back for the next two Tests and the subsequent fixtures against Pakistan. Meanwhile, the English top-order also looks reasonably stable than before.

“The England team has been batting with more consistency and solidity throughout the order and Joe has been a big part of that,”

“We’re glad that Moeen is available again but there’s no change: Ed Smith

The chief of selectors addressed Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow’s exclusions from the Test side by saying that if they’re not playing red-ball cricket, they are playing limited-overs. He hailed the pair as excellent limited-overs players, who also has 130 Test caps.

“With Moeen and Jonny part of calculation is obviously that they have been in the white-ball squad and been very good performers in white-ball cricket. You know if they’re not in the 11 here it’s good that they’re playing cricket in the white-ball team,”

Smith lauded Moeen’s willingness to play Test cricket again; however, he chose to stick with Dominic Bess due to his impressive display in South Africa. Bess played two games in South Africa, taking eight wickets, including a fifer. On the other hand, left-arm spinner Jack Leach bags the reserve spot.

“Moeen available is good news for the talent in the spin department, but it’s also the case that Dom did very well in South Africa. We’re glad that Moeen is available again, but there’s no change; Dom Bess is in possession and Jack Leach takes the reserve spot,” he added.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Is Someone Who Shows His Emotions On The Field, Which Works For Him: Ashish Nehra