By Mark Stokes

Paul Farbrace believes Joe Denly is due a bit of good fortune after being on the wrong end of two poor lbw decisions at Canterbury in the past week.

Denly was just one short of a half-century in the first innings of the Championship win over against Surrey when he was given out leg before to Tim Linley, and in Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank 40 game against The Netherlands he suffered a similar fate, this time falling to left-armer Shane Mott.

Director of cricket Farbrace believes both were poor decisions, and that it won’t be long before the 25-year-old opener is back among the runs.

Farbrace said: “I have to say I thought Joe's run of poor lbws continued against The Netherlands because how you can give him out left-arm over the wicket to a bloke who doesn't swing it, and he's three yards down the pitch.

"We looked back at the footage and the keeper did not even appeal. He was even more shocked than Joe that he was actually given out, and I feel really sorry for him because he's worked really hard.

"In the championship game I thought it was the best start he's had. He played really well for 49 and looked set to get a big score and was given out, allegedly lbw when I thought he hit it - it was a very, very poor decision."

Caption: Joe Denly during his knock of 49 against Surrey at Canterbury.

Picture: Bary Goodwin