The Ashes: Joe Denly in 60-mile dash to attend birth of his second child – before racing back for day two at The Oval – The Sun

JOE DENLY is expected back at The Oval this afternoon after leaving the final Test to be at the birth of his daughter.

The Kent opener, out for 14 in England’s first innings, made the 60-mile dash back to Whitstable, near his home in Herne Bay, immediately after the finish of day one.

It meant the 33-year-old Denly was there at the hospital bedside of his wife Stacy when she gave birth to their daughter.

He tweeted an adorable pic of his family and wrote: "Family complete!! Well done @missmills84 you legend, respect to all mums!! Thank you for all the messages. No name as yet…."

Incredibly, it is not the first time Denly's wife has gone into labour at the wrong moment.

Back in 2016, Denly was unbeaten on 34 as Kent chased almost 500 in a County Championship match against Derbyshire.

In similar fashion, the couple's first baby – not due until the next month – arrived and Denly had to leave at the close of play and did not resume on the following morning.

Former skipper Michael Vaughan and current chairman of selectors Ed Smith are among other England players who have made similar family dashes home mid-Test in the past.

Denly already has a son, Henry, as the family decide on the name of their most recent arrival.

England team chiefs told Denly not to rush back in time for the start of play today.

But after an overnight stay, he was due back in the capital by lunchtime.

With England’s innings over inside 25 minutes, that saw Jason Roy fielding as his replacement when Australia began their reply to the home side’s 294 all out.

And it was another good start for England as Jofra Archer got rid of David Warner with the thinnest of nicks and then Ben Stokes did well to hold on to Marcus Harris' edge.

https://www.instagram.com/p/-LjnmfkXg2/

Love him #husband #wife #love

A post shared byStacy Denly (@stacydenly) on

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The best decision I ever made, I knew we would have beautiful children! Happy Mother’s Day @stacydenly ???

A post shared byJoe Denly (@joe.denly) on

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Mummy’s boy!!

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