Joe Denly News

England, who have now taken a 1-0 lead in the ongoing series, will play the second ODI against Ireland on August 1 at Ageas Bowl.

The two sides are slated to play a three-match Royal London series, beginning from July 30 at the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground in Southampton behind closed doors in a bio-secure environment.

Denly, who averages under 30 in tests, was dismissed for 18 and 29 in England`s four-wicket defeat in the series-opener. Root will slot into his usual number four role, while Zak Crawley, who struck an impressive 76 in the second innings at Southampton, will move up to three. Thursday`s game is the first of two back-to-back tests at Manchester which will be played behind closed doors in a biosecure environment.

Jason Holder bagged a six-wicket haul as West Indies bundle out England for 204 runs in their first innings on the second day of the opening Test at Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Thursday.

Denly suffered a ligament damage to his right ankle during a practice match ahead of the opening T20I, which England went on to win by seven wickets at Hagley Oval.

Bairstow, who was initially omitted from the Test squad against the Black Caps, is already in New Zealand for the ongoing five-match T20I series between the two sides. 

England, however, have decided to not name Denly's replacement for the remaining four matches of the ongoing T20I series.  

Denly fell six runs short of his maiden Test century and Ben Stokes made a sparkling 67 in bright sunshine at The Oval to put England in a strong position to level the series at 2-2.

Stokes was dropped by Steve Smith at slip when he was on seven off Nathan Lyon.

England openers Rory Burns and Joe Denly added nine runs in the fading light to extend the lead to 78 runs by the close of play for the day.

Resuming on 18-2 and chasing a distant target of 383, Joe Denly and Roy provided initial resistance before Cummins bowled Roy (31) with a beautiful delivery that cut back off the seam to leave England at 66-3.

England need another 365 runs to win with eight wickets remaining heading into the final day and they will resume with Jason Roy and Joe Denly at the crease.

England lost opener Joe Denly for four, brilliantly caught by Matthew Wade at short leg after he fended off a rising delivery from Pat Cummins to leave them struggling on 23-1 at the close. 

Australia, who lead the five-match series 1-0 and need one more win to retain the Ashes urn, were all out for 246 in their second innings before lunch on Saturday, setting England a daunting target of 359 runs to win.

Trailing 1-0 in the series and replying to Australia’s far from daunting first-innings total of 179, England’s key batsmen fell cheaply, several chasing aggressive shots, as the hosts were bowled out for 67 at Headingley.

Chasing the second-highest successful run chase in Ashes history (398), England's first innings centurion Rory Burns fell first in the second over of the day for 11.

Fast-bowler David Willey rattled through Windies' top order, taking 4-7 off three overs as England dismissed the home team for 71 in 13 overs at Basseterre.

Denly replaced the misfiring Keaton Jennings at the top of the order for the second Test at Antigua and made scores of six and 17 on debut in England's 10-wicket defeat.

In reply to the visitors, West Indies openers Kraigg Brathwaite (11) and John Campbell (16) survived 21 overs to be 30 without loss at stumps on day one.

Denly enjoyed a remarkable 2018 domestic season in which he scored 1729 runs in all formats, alongside claiming 57 wickets with his leg-spin bowling.