Dan Lawrence: A Fresh Start as England’s Test Opener

For Dan Lawrence and the England selectors, the quantity of Lawrence's first-class innings as an opener holds less significance compared to the manner in which he accumulates his runs.

While waiting for his first Test appearance since March 2022 at Emirates Old Trafford, Lawrence expressed confidence, stating that he embodies the ideal qualities for the role. He explained that his natural approach is to play aggressively, always seeking to advance the game and capitalise on scoring opportunities. Lawrence emphasised that this strategy, which has been the foundation of his cricket career, would remain unchanged in the coming weeks.

Lawrence seemed unfazed by the notion that opening the batting in England requires a specialised skill set. He acknowledged that people are entitled to their opinions but was clearly thrilled to seize the opportunity.

Sir Alastair Cook, a former Essex teammate, reached out to Lawrence after his selection as England’s new Test opener was confirmed. Lawrence, with a grin, acknowledged that his batting style would differ greatly from Cook’s. His plan is straightforward: he intends to stay true to his game, expressing himself while maintaining a compact and solid approach.

Lawrence’s unexpected recall to the Test squad in a new role is part of a broader trend under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. The England team has shown a willingness to overlook a player’s county position in favour of their overall potential. This approach was first evident in May 2022 when Ollie Pope was promoted to bat at No. 3, despite never having played in that position for Surrey. Similarly, Jamie Smith and Shoaib Bashir were elevated to primary roles despite being second-choice at their counties. Now, this same independent mindset has seen Lawrence transition from a middle-order County Championship player to a Test match opener.

Reflecting on this shift, Lawrence noted that his playing style aligns well with what McCullum and Stokes typically seek in a cricketer. He recognised the curiosity surrounding his delayed inclusion, given his flair and tendency to play deliveries from off-stump to the on-side. Despite being squeezed out of the team by the emergence of players like Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, Lawrence has remained a consistent squad member.

In light of the competition for specialist batting spots, Lawrence switched from Essex to Surrey before the current season, with the goal of developing his off-spin and earning a Test recall as an all-rounder. However, an injury to Zak Crawley has opened the door for Lawrence to take on the role of opener, likely for three Tests. Depending on Crawley’s recovery, Lawrence might continue in this role during the Pakistan series in October.

Lawrence recalled that upon hearing about Crawley’s injury, his first thought was whether he would be asked to open. He quickly received confirmation and has since had a few weeks to mentally prepare and get some practice in.

He concluded that his general style of cricket is well-suited to the demands of opening. Although not particularly fluent on the off-side, Lawrence believes he can leave deliveries well and wait for opportunities to score when the ball is delivered straighter.