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Joe Denly on his surprise England recall and Kents County Championship promotion

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Joe Denly made the last of his England appearances in 2009 (Picture: Getty)

Almost a decade since his last international appearance, Joe Denly is back in contention to feature for England and believes he can make an impact in the Test series against Sri Lanka.

Denly was one of three uncapped Test players to be named in the squad for the winter tour, with Surrey opener Rory Burns and Warwickshire bowler Olly Stone also included.

Kents elegant batsman and part-time leg-spin bowler featured 14 times for Englands one-day teams between 2008 and 2009, scoring two fifties.

But after another consistent season for the Spitfires – who finished second in Division Two of the County Championship and reached the final of the Royal London One-Day Cup – Denly has been offered an international lifeline and could open the batting against Sri Lanka or slot in at No. 3.

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But first up for Denly is a trip to the end-of-season awards at The Roundhouse in London, where he has been nominated for the PCA Players Player of the Year award alongside Burns, Rikkie Clarke and Kent team-mate Matt Henry.

Its very exciting and has topped off a very enjoyable year, said Denly, when asked about his inclusion in Englands Test squad. It was brilliant to get the news and I cant wait to get going.

Nothing is set in stone with regards to where I bat or if I am even in the side, but I think there is potential for me to bat anywhere in the order.

Joe Root is obviously going to bat at No 4 but the opening spots and No 3 dont appear to be nailed down. The good thing for me is that I have batted in all positions from No 1 down to No 5.

Denly could open or bat at No. 3 for England (Picture: Getty)

Whatever spot I get I will be very excited and keen to make it my own.

While showing glimpses of his potential during his first stint of international cricket, Denly believes he is now now in a better place to perform for his country.

I am far more experienced and a have lot more understanding of my game and what works for me, he added. I think I deal with the mental side of cricket a lot better than I used to.

I dont think back then I understood all that comes with being an international cricketer, whereas now I feel very confident going back in and ready to deal with anything chucked at me.

The 32-year-old enjoyed a fine season, along with Kent team-mate Matt Henry (Picture: Getty)

Travelling around and playing in various T20 competitions has helped that, while, playing in the Bangladesh Premier League and Pakistan Super League, you are obviously tested against quality spin bowling.

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Id like to think I have a pretty decent game against spin and I know that is going to be the challenge out in Sri Lanka.

Denlys individual success this summer – he scored three centuries and over 800 runs in 2018, while claiming 20 wickets – played a significant role in Kents fine campaign under coaches Matt Walker and Allan Donald.

The Spitfires booked their return to Division One of the County Championship by winning ten of their 14 fixtures. Only a defeat to Warwickshire in the season-finale denied them top spot.

Kent secured promotion to Division One (Picture: Getty)

Kent also flourished in the one-day format, reaching the One-Day Cup final at Lords and threatening to reach T20 Finals Day.

Leading into every season you do your media commitments and you say you want to be competitive in all forms and give the same old answers, Denly told Sky Sports.

This year, though, we have been able to do that. Getting into Division One is always a goal when you are in Division Two so to have achieved that is very special for the club and everyone involved.

With the white-ball success as well, it has been a very exciting season. There are exciting times ahead, too.