“Playing in the Ashes, being exposed to those bowlers, I’ve come out of it a more confident player, and I certainly feel a lot more comfortable within this batting line-up now,” Denly told Sky Sports.

England are currently in New Zealand, gearing up for a two-Test series, after having won the T20I leg in a dramatic fashion with yet another Super Over victory in the deciding match.

Is No.4 the best place for Joe Root to bat?#NZvENGhttps://t.co/mxApogONGP

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 15, 2019

Denly missed all the five T20Is with ligament damage, but made his return right on time for the Test series, with a steady 147-ball 68 in the second warm-up game against the New Zealand A side.

[breakout id=”1″][/breakout]

“I was very disappointed when [I got injured] just before the T20 series,” said the 33-year-old. “When I first did it I was probably thinking my tour was over. It was pretty nasty, a tough one to take, and it always touch and go to get ready for this game [against New Zealand A].

“I think I was pretty lucky not to do serious damage and that we have the best treatment here with the England doctors and physios.

[breakout id=”0”][/breakout]

“It’s settled down nicely. There’s no discomfort. The running between the wickets and playing all the shots feels fine. It’s just a case of monitoring it and making sure it doesn’t swell up.

“One thing [time out injured] does do is make you hungry to get out there and play so thankfully I was able to do that and spend time in the middle.”

Denly has so far made eight Test appearances, out of which five he played at this year’s Ashes. He made 312 runs in that series averaging 31.20 and brought up his highest Test innings score of 94 along with all of his four half-century scores, in the same series.

Sam Curran claimed 0-53 from 15 overs on the first day of England's warm-up against New Zealand A. Has that changed anyone's thoughts on this debate?#NZvENGhttps://t.co/PeTbh0lNXT

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 15, 2019

The right-handed batsman further expressed disappointment over not being able to reach his maiden Test century during the Ashes outing – a feat he’s now looking forward to achieve, during the two-match Test series against New Zealand, beginning November 21.

“It was disappointing not to get three figures, but I was dropped on nought and I could have had an lbw shout against me as well,” said Denly.

“It would be nice to get that first Test hundred on this trip. I’m feeling pretty good out in the middle.”