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The number four batting position in this very series until Day 3 has been certified as the series-defining one, however, just for one side.
For England, it scripted a devastating loss from a winning position at Edgbaston. At Lord’s, it robbed them off a potential victory. Steve Smith’s stay at the series was put to a halt by Jofra Archer at Lord’s, forcing him out of the equation in the fourth innings.
Despite this, the value of the number four position didn’t depreciate.
When Marnus Labuschagne filled in as the concussion substitute for Smith, it came into question. However, by the end of Day 3, the price of the spot appreciated. The fact that a rookie put such a considerable rate on his wicket under demanding circumstances against some world-class seamers boosted red-ball cricket.
On the contrary, the hosts so far hadn’t found a game-changing number four player. But intense pressure makes you do things. And that brings the best in you, one that could change the course of the game. And Joe Denly’s knock was extremely crucial in that.
At the outset, when Denly got picked to tour Sri Lanka in 2018, it was far from convincing. That Denly got drafted into the squad merely for having a stylish technique, but not boasting of an impressive first-class record, both as a batsman and a bowler.
The right-hander’s age of 32 had equally come under scrutiny, for he being pushed as the long-term candidate for the middle-order. However, England kept persevering even after all the mediocrity so far.
On Day 3, when Denly walked out to bat, the scorecard teetered at 15/2 in a chase of 359, having lost Jason Roy. In less favourable conditions, the Australian pacers looked equally menacing as they did in the first innings.
The plays and the misses never seem to end. On a few occasions, he ended up doing a carbon copy dismissal of his first innings, flashing hard outside off-stump. Fortunately, none made contact with the bat.
Similar to the first innings, Denly stayed, he left balls that had the potential to dismiss him. However, the deliveries which he played, he did that thoughtfully. He copped up blows too from the rampant Pat Cummins, reminding him of his own anxieties.
Note that at any point, Denly didn’t look comfortable at the crease. However, along with Joe Root, the backlash was waiting for them had they not stitched that solid partnership.
However, 50s don’t win you matches. It may not be even enough to guarantee you a spot in the playing 11. Nonetheless, Denly and Root came out well, having learned from a concussion sub on how to construct a Test match innings.
And England’s stunning result at the end of the Headingley Test boosts his chances of retaining his spot even until the end of the Ashes, having played a decisive part to set the tone for a series-levelling victory.
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