Joe Denly set for Test debut as England drop Keaton Jennings

Joe Denly will partner Rory Burns at the top of England’s batting order for the second Test in Antigua.

A woeful batting display in the first Test in Barbados contributed heavily towards England suffering a confidence-shattering 381-run defeat.

And after scoring 17 and 14 in both his innings, selectors have decided to drop Keaton Jennings in favour of uncapped Kent opener Denly.

Jennings had rebuilt his credentials as a solution to England’s top-order problems after hitting an unbeaten 146 on the victorious tour of Sri Lanka in November.

But Denly now gets his shot to prove himself in yet another new-look 1, 2, 3 order of Burns, Denly and Jonny Bairstow, who was moved up the order after being dropped himself at the start of England’s winter.

In another change to the team’s XV, Stuart Broad returns to the fold in place of Adil Rashid.

Denly’s form over the past 18 months has seen him deliver in all formats with the bat, representing the Sydney Sixers in the BBL and being appointed Kent vice-captain.

England are seeking to level the three-match Test series against Jason Holder’s side when they meet at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Thursday.

England’s 12-man second for the second Test agains the West Indies:

Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (capt), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Jack Leach.