Kent batsman Joe Denly reaffirmed his England red ball ambitions this week after he was in the runs for his county in their Bob Willis Trophy Match against Middlesex.

Denly, 34, scored 89 in the drawn match, and sent a message to the England selectors both on and off the field during the game.

Denly was dropped from the England side earlier this summer and averages just under 30 for his country from 28 innings with a high score of 94.

Now back playing first-class cricket for Kent and part only of England’s white ball setup, Denly wants to force his way back into the red ball team.

“It is going to be tough to get back in” he said. “There is no doubt about that.

“There are some good young players around, but I would love to be involved in it and it is a really good environment to be involved in. If it is being involved as a squad player and a backup batsman, I will take that, but it is important that coming back here to Kent I perform and put my name in the hat to be selected.

“It is always disappointing to get dropped and lose your place in that England side. For me it is about trying not to put too much pressure on myself. Of course, as a top order batter you want to score runs every time, but I am not trying to think about that too much.

“I just want to take each ball one at a time and spend as much time out there as possible. I think if I do that and not worry about these big scores then they will come naturally.”

Denly’s performances in test cricket caused him a lot of frustration. With six text 50s to his name, he was unable to score a century and doesn’t feel like he showed what he is about when wearing England colours.

“I do not think I was forced into playing in a different way to what I am used to. I certainly had opportunities to go on and get big scores and that is my job as a top order batter.

“Chris Silverwood and Rooty [captain Joe Root] were very clear about scoring big first innings runs and they weren’t worried how you did it. I think a few times I got bogged down, and I felt comfortable at the crease but was not able to capitalise on some good starts and go on and get a few big 100s which would have cemented my place at number three.

“It was just frustrating and disappointing from a personal point of view not to kick on a get a few big ones.”

Fellow Kent batsman Zak Crawley took Denly’s place in the England side, and made 53 in the second test against Pakistan on Monday.

Denly awarded Crawley his cap on his debut, and insisted he was pleased for his county teammate, despite him effectively being a rival.

“I am delighted for Zak” said Denly. “I did not see much of it [against Pakistan] because I was out in the middle, but I did see a few balls early on and again he looked so comfortable against a very good attack.

“When he took my place, he was looking in fantastic form in the nets and in that first test against West Indies he looked at ease. It is very exciting. He is a fantastic young player and I think he has certainly got a bright future in test cricket.”

Despite his desire to get back in the England side, Denly is enjoying being back with Kent.

All he can do is try and score runs in county cricket when he is with the side and hope the selectors notice.

“It is great to be back actually” he said. “It feels a very long time since I have been at Canterbury, so it is really nice to be back with the lads. I am enjoying it.

“It is a great environment that we have created here over the last couple of years. The lads have been brilliant – it feels like it has been forever, so it has been good to be back in the changing room.

“I am feeling good. It was nice to spend some time out there [against Middlesex]. I was gutted to pick up the injury the day before the ODIs – I was really excited to get out into the middle and find some form again.

“Something I probably went away from in test cricket was finding that balance between attacking and defending and being busy at the crease which is something I like to do when I am out there. It is important to rotate the strike and I felt pretty good out there this week and I think I batted pretty well.

“Trying to put pressure back on the bowlers by rotating the strike is a good form by showing good intent so it was good to do that.”

Denly will be back in England action soon after being named in the T20 squad to face Pakistan.