Denly made a 50 for England Lions against Australia this summer.

Kent batsman Joe Denly says he is delighted to be named in England's squad for September's Champions Trophy.

The 23-year-old is in an initial 30-man squad, which will be trimmed to 15 for the tournament in South Africa.

"There are some great names in the squad. I hope this time I can make the final cut, it would be a great chance for me," Denly told BBC Radio Kent.

The opener has hit three hundreds this year, as well as a half-century for the England Lions against Australia.

National newspapers have been tipping the batsman to star for England in the next Ashes series in 2013, but Denly is not counting his chickens.

"It's brilliant to be spoken of in those terms, but I don't like to put too much pressure on myself. It's one of my aims to play in 2013; I just have to make sure I keep scoring the runs for Kent to put me in the frame."

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