Denly: It doesn’t get much better
Saturday 15th July 2017
Joe Denly became the first batsman to score multiple T20 centuries for Kent as he hit the highest score by a batsman for the county in the shortest format.
His 116* in a record 163-run opening stand with Daniel Bell-Drummond set up a record chase of 206, the fourth highest in English domestic T20 history.
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The 31-year-old is enjoying a bumper season with the bat following a first class career-best and the record red-ball partnership with Sean Dickson at The County Ground, Beckenham earlier this month.
However, he said it was from easy despite the excellent batting surface.
“Both ‘Deebs’ and I were struggling to pick it up at the start there, not because of the light so much, but because of the background. But it was the kind of wicket where you needed to spend a bit of time getting used to the pace of the ball.
“After that it was a typical Oval run-chase. It’s a big ground to defend on, so there were lots of gaps, plenty of twos to run which I felt we did really well.
“The pitch was a weird browny-green colour, but the ball came on pretty well and I have to say I didn’t mind batting on it. Daniel was brilliant down the other end. He’s a delightful player, unorthodox at times and has great hands.
“I think the Surrey boys found him a nightmare to bowl at and it proved a great opening stand as it left us with plenty of wickets in hand.
“Then Bilbo came in to play a nice little knock that really took the pressure off me. It was a great time for him to come in and show off his skills.
“Chasing 206 in front of a packed house at The Oval, it doesn’t get much better than that. Surrey are a fiery bunch on the pitch, but they were very gracious in defeat and to a man they came over and shook my hand.”