While the English cricketer Jason Roy has disappointed as an opener in the Ashes 2019, his teammate Joe Denly is ready to open from the fourth Test. The 33-year-old has recently confirmed this news while Roy will bat at the no.4 position.
Ben Stokes‘ brilliant knock helped England to secure an impossible-looking victory in the last Test at Leeds. Starting that third Test of this five-match Test series against Australia by trailing 0-1, England would finish their hope to win the Ashes 2019 if they lost the Leeds Test. However, Stokes’ magnificent batting in the fourth innings helped England to level (1-1) that series.
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Joe Root-led England is now ready to make a fresh start in the ongoing Ashes 2019 from the fourth Test. Old Trafford (Manchester) will host the penultimate fourth Test of this series from 4th September.
Recently, Joe Denly has revealed that the English Test captain wants to start with a new opening partnership. In a recent conversation, Root has asked Denly to open in the forthcoming Manchester Test.
Denly told BBC, “I got a call from Joe Root after a bit of time off and he said he’d like for me to go at the top of the order and try and get us off to a good start.”
Joe Denly has played six Tests, where the right-handed batsman has scored 292 runs (average 24.33). He has hit two half-centuries in Test career, including the crucial 50 runs during the fourth innings of the Leeds Test.
Denly made his Test debut during the North Sound Test against Windies in last January. It was the only Test when he opened but he scored seven and 16 runs respectively in that game. However, now he is ready to perform well at this position.
With Jason Roy in the team, I think we’re a better team for sure – Joe Denly
Meanwhile, the Kent cricketer has also confirmed that Jason Roy will move to the no.4 batting position.
Denly added, “Obviously Jason’s going to bat at four. With Jason Roy in the team, I think we’re a better team for sure.”
Jason Roy was in a great form as an opening batsman during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. However, he has failed to perform as an opener in the ongoing Ashes 2019. The right-handed batsman has scored 10, 28, 0, 2, 9 and 8 runs respectively in this series.
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However, Denly believes that it will be great for the team to having Roy at the no.4 position.
He added, “With him coming in at four with hopefully the new ball worn off, and hopefully myself and Rory (Rory Burns) doing our jobs at the top, it enables him to come in and play his way. He’s a dangerous player so he’s great to have there.”
Both teams are looking for a victory in the upcoming Manchester Test. A victory in this Test will put the winning side to the safest position in this series.