Denly cleared after knee surgery

Joe Denly, the England and Kent batsman, has been cleared of any serious damage after undergoing exploratory operations on both knees. Denly originally hurt his left knee in a collision with Owais Shah during a practice-session football match before the second ODI against Australia at the Oval last summer.

At the time, scans revealed a small sprain but no major damage, and Denly took part in the England Performance Programme's tour to South Africa in December last year, cracking a double hundred against the Titans. He still had some discomfort in his knee, however, and so decided on the operations.

"The England physio and Nimmo Reid at Kent both felt there was nothing major structurally wrong but I had felt a bit of pain and was a bit worried so wanted peace of mind and to feel comfortable myself," Denly told KentOnline. "I was happy when the surgeon Andy Williams told me nothing was wrong. I was told to rest for three weeks but I hope to get back hitting balls in the nets soon."

With the squad for England's second tour of the winter - a trip to Bangladesh in February and March for three ODIs and two Tests - yet to be announced, the good news will be especially heartening to Denly, who lost his spot in England's one-day team to Jonathan Trott at the top of the order.