By Jeremy Blackmore

Safe hands: Middlesex’s Ollie Rayner is caught and bowled by Kent’s Darren Stevens

WHILE all eyes were on the Oval for Alastair Cook’s farewell Test innings, in north London Kent’s Darren Stevens was backing teammate Joe Denly as a readymade replacement.
Denly had a more modest experience at Lord’s, scoring just 19 in two innings. But Stevens is confident Denly can take on the opener’s role in Sri Lanka. “Joe has got to be pushing for the winter tour. How can he not be? He bowls, bats and whatever he is doing he is doing reall...