England drop Joe Denly for second West Indies Test

The Kent batsman has averaged just 29.53 from his 15 Tests and loses his place upon the return of captain Joe Root

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Joe Denly has been dropped for England's second Test against West Indies at Emirates Old Trafford.

The return of captain Joe Root, after he missed the first Test to attend the birth of his second child, means a change in the batting order.

Kent teammate Zak Crawley will, therefore, be expected to move up the order to bat at No.3.

Denly has averaged just 29.53 from his 15 Tests, with a career-best score of 94.

"It is never easy to have to leave someone out of the team," said Root. "Joe over a period of time has done a brilliant job for us.

"He's helped show our identity as a side and how we want to play moving forward. He's laid the platform in those further down the order to go on and make big scores.

"It is a very difficult decision we've had to make and we've gone in a different way. He's done a good job over a period of time."

England have yet to confirm their squad for the second Test, as they attempt to level the series in Manchester.

Stuart Broad is pushing for a recall in the bowling department after Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and James Anderson were preferred at The Ageas Bowl.

Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson and Olly Stone were all named as reserves in Southampton and could yet be considered.

"There are a few things that need clearing up this end," the skipper added. "I don't want to say too much about it because I'll end up saying something that I shouldn't."

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