Joe Denly admits being in India at the time of last year’s troubles is an experience he doesn’t want to repeat in a hurry.

The 22-year-old Kent opener was a member of the England Performance squad whose trip was cut short in November when the main tour was abandoned after battles between police and gunmen rocked the capital Mumbai, killing hundreds and injuring dozens more.

Denly said: “It was very frightening, waking up and watching was happening on the TV. Everyone was talking in at breakfast about what was happening, and were lucky to be where we were. My family were very worried and I was pretty glad to get home.”

He sets off with England Lions to New Zealand on Saturday hoping for a much quieter time, but knows the trip is no less important to his chances of a first international call-up, which many experts believe will happen sooner rather than later.

He was tipped to win a place in the one-day squad for the present tour to the West Indies, but the selectors picked wicketkeeper/opener Steven Davies of Worcestershire instead.

Denly is philosophical though about missing out “There were a few whispers that I could be in, but I wasn’t massively disappointed, because I didn’t expect it.” he said.

“When I came back from India I stayed positive and kept training, and it was time well spent. This trip to New Zealand is a great opportunity for me, and one I am really looking forward to it, because, like Keysy, I haven’t been there before.

“The England side are struggling for form at the moment, and I want to take any chance I get. I will probably play in most of the games, and looking to be leading run scorer, and impress."

Reflecting on last season Denly said: “I should have scored more runs in the championship, and my season fizzled out a bit at the end. The one-day form was good, and I hope to come back from this tour an even better player, and help Kent win trophies.

“There is a lot of pride in the camp, especially for me being a local boy, and it’s up to us to bounce back. Our main focus is to get back to Division One in the championship, but I think if we repeat our one-day form of the last year or two, we could go well again, having come up short last season.”