Kent opener Jaydn Denly is relishing the chance to impress in this summer’s One-Day Cup.
Denly followed up his maiden list A half-century against Warwickshire last week by falling just nine runs short of a hundred against Lancashire at Beckenham last Sunday.
The 19-year-old was one of three Kent youngsters in the team, alongside Ben Dawkins and Ekansh Singh.
“I’m loving it,” said Denly. “Obviously, I’ve played a couple of years in this competition now.
“It’s such a good opportunity, especially for Ben Dawkins. Ekansh played nicely, as well, as he has in most games.
“It’s nice for all of us to get an opportunity. We just want to do the best we can.
“I’m just looking at the minute to get as many runs as I can. I struggled a little bit at the start in the first two games and didn’t get many runs.
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“So, I think now I’m in some good nick and I’ve just got to keep on going and putting in performances for the team.”
Denly was out for 91 against Lancashire, leg before when sweeping.
But Spitfires managed to get their first win in the end to ease Denly’s disappointment.
“It’s obviously annoying to get 91, nine runs away,” said Denly.
“A bit frustrating but the lads came in behind me and played beautifully so it wasn’t a problem in the end.
“When you’re 91, you feel you’re striking pretty well. You’re not going to miss much.
“But that happens. You play a bit of a loose shot when you’re a bit tired. But it was all good in the end.
“I had played the shot a few times, I was playing it nicely so I didn’t think it was a terrible option but I missed it unfortunately.”
Denly shared an entertaining 155-run stand for the opening wicket with Dawkins against Lancashire.
The two teenagers showed positive intent throughout and both looked on course for hundreds. Dawkins’ 85 included some stunning straight drives and Denly had the best seat in the house to watch his England under-19 team-mate in action.
“Ben batted outstandingly for his second game, that was a really mature innings,” noted Denly.
“He was striking the ball better than I’ve seen anyone strike the ball this year, so that’s really impressive, and it’s been really good to see.
“He was just sitting on the ball and hitting it purely, wasn’t he? It just shows you how much talent he’s got. I feel like he can go to a good level.
“To get 80-odd in your second game, not many people do that, so it’s really good for him.
“I think we’re just keeping ourselves levelled. Obviously, he got us off to an absolute flyer.
“I was a bit behind him, but I was trying not to think about him too much because he was on his own kind of level. He’s got a smart head on him, so he knows what he’s doing.”
Denly also impressed with his spin bowling against Lancashire, called into action as injuries saw Grant Stewart and Matt Quinn off the field.
He spoke of the role Matt Parkinson plays when it comes to that side of his game.
“Matt Parkinson bowled beautifully at the back end and he got a few wickets,” added Denly, who ended with figures of 1-27 from five overs.
“I learn from him a lot, he’s very good. He’s probably my spin coach so I go to him with most things and he’s always helping me out.
“Even when we’re out there, he’s helping me out when I’m bowling.”
It’s been another positive season for Denly, who has also forced his way into the four-day line-up.
“I’ve found it pretty good, to be fair,” he said. “I’ve, obviously, got myself in the County Championship side and done okay.
“It’s just very nice to be playing, with such good players and against good players.
“It’s only going to make me better playing against top players.
“I think you’ve just got to play the ball instead of the bowler. I faced some very good bowlers this year and last year, as well.
“But in this aspect now, I’m just going to play the ball. Whatever comes down at me, I’m just going to try and play as well as I can.”
Kent round off their One-Day Cup campaign with a trip to Northamptonshire today before hosting Somerset on Sunday and Yorkshire on Tuesday at Canterbury.
