Ashes 2019: “I Still Think We’re in Very Good Position”: Joe Denly

Both the arch-rivals England and Australia have been playing in the third Ashes Test where England batsman Joe Denly feels they have a chance to bounce back as they are in a good position. Although they showed a dismal performance in the first innings where they were bundles out within 67 at Headingley. That was, however, their lowest total in Ashes cricket for 71 years.

One win will equal the result for England as Australia have already registered a massive 251-run win in the first Ashes Test and the second one ended in a draw. England were 156-3 before the stumps in their second innings, requiring a further 203 runs to win the Test. Both Joe Root and Joe Denly resurrect the innings with a 126-run partnership where Denly fell after scoring a well-made fifty and Root was at 75*.

“I still think we’re in very good position,” said Joe Denly. “It’s never ideal when you get bowled out for 67, it wasn’t good enough and we had to show a bit of fight and a bit of character in the second innings.”

“It was never about a draw or losing, but all about winning — that belief has to be there,” he added. “We understand there is a tricky period in the morning with the new ball coming up. But we have Rooty and Stokesy (Ben Stokes is two not out following his unbeaten 115 in the drawn second Test at Lord’s) — two world-class batters in.”

“Any time Joe Root is scoring runs it puts belief in the side,” said Joe Denly. “We feed off that.”

The game is important for both the teams, although it seems a herculean task for England because of their middle-order are not in sync. On the other hand, Australia pace troika Pat Cummins, Jos Hazlewood and James Pattinson have been among wickets. Where Hazlewood took a fifer in the first innings, Cummins took 3 and Pattinson 2. Their formidable form certainly troubles England on their way of a win.