Joe Denly Ruled Out Of Ireland ODI Series Due To Back Spasm

Joe Denly has been ruled out the Royal London Series against Ireland after suffering back spasms in training on Wednesday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement. The Kent batsman has been replaced in the 14-man England ODI squad by Lancashire’s Liam Livingstone, the statement added,

Denly was not a part of the series opener and will be replaced by Livingstone who has played two T20Is. It will be a chance to make an ODI debut for Livingstone, who in uncapped in this format. The series in currently in favour of the home team as they lead it by a slender 1-0 margin against the Irish.

Joe Denly has been ruled out of the #ENGvIRE ODI series due to back spasms.

Liam Livingstone will replace him in England's 14-man squad. pic.twitter.com/tNHVDQRtzW

— ICC (@ICC) July 31, 2020

England has made a head-start after international cricket returned to the scene after pandemic not just with their win streak but with the way they are planning to host one team after the another.

The first ODI was a lopsided contest. After Eoin Morgan opted to bowl, the Irish top order fell like a pack of cards, before lower-order batsman Curtis Campher stepped in to play an unbeaten knock of 59 runs. He was helped on with 40 runs knock from Andy McBrine but it could only help the visitors to score 172 runs on board.

The chase did not start well for the Englishmen as they lost their top three within 59 runs. However, Sam Billings (67 not out) and Eoin Morgan (36) stepped up to the occasion to help the side cross the line with 22 overs to spare. The second ODI might also remain more or less the same and it is thus important to plan the fantasy team accordingly.