ENG vs IRE | Joe Denly ruled out of Ireland ODIs with back spasms

Now, ahead of the second ODI of three-match series, Denly has been dealt an injury blow as the right-hander has been ruled out of the series due to back spasms. This is a significant blow for 34-year-old Denly, who was only axed from the Test side a couple of weeks ago after failing to convert starts, with young Zak Crawley taking up his place in the red-ball team. Here, however, the veteran from Kent will be replaced in the squad by Lancashire’s Liam Livingstone, who has made a name for himself through his immaculate performances in T20 leagues around the world. 

Denly, who made his ODI debut in 2009 as a 23-year-old, made his comeback to the white-ball side a decade later in 2019 and, earlier this year, the 34-year-old featured for the Three Lions in the ODI series versus the Proteas. He was, in fact, the highest run-getter for Eoin Morgan’s side in the series, scoring 153 runs across two innings at an average of 76.50.