Denly set for debut as England axes Jennings

Keaton Jennings and Adil Rashid have paid with their spots after England's first-Test thrashing versus West Indies, with Joe Denly to debut.

England batsman Joe Denly

Joe Denly will make his long-form debut for England after captain Joe Root confirmed Keaton Jennings has been dropped for second Test against West Indies in Antigua.

The tourist went down to a humiliating 381-run defeat in Bridgetown last week, having collapsed to 77 all out in its first innings.

Root and coach Trevor Bayliss have opted for a change at the top of the order, with 32-year-old Kent batsman Denly coming in for Jennings, who made 17 and 14 in the series opener and has not made more than 26 in six innings since his unbeaten 146 against Sri Lanka in November.

"It gives Joe an opportunity," Root said of Denly, who played the last of nine ODIs in 2009 and returned to Twenty20 action for his country in Sri Lanka after an eight-and-a-half-year absence.  

"It’s disappointing for Keaton, he's done some excellent things and he will continue to work on developing his game and be a big part of this squad."

Broad returns

While Denly prepares to face the new ball alongside Joe Burns, having last played a first-class match as an opener in July 2015, changes in the bowling department are also in the offing, with Stuart Broad and Jack Leach named in a 12-man squad.

There is no place for Adil Rashid, increasing the likelihood that Denly's leg spin will be called upon at North Sound.

Speaking to Sky Sports following the squad announcement, Root confirmed his Yorkshire team-mate Rashid would fly back to the UK to be with his wife, who is expecting their second child.