"I'd bat No. 11 if I had to," Dan Lawrence has often quipped, a statement reflecting his years of waiting on the sidelines, serving as a backup across various batting positions from No. 3 to 7 in his 11 Test caps. However, during Monday's press conference at Emirates Old Trafford, this familiar line took on a new context.
In the first Test against Sri Lanka, Lawrence won’t be batting at No. 11—he’ll be opening the innings. As Zak Crawley's replacement, he is set to face the new ball alongside Ben Duckett. While batting last is a challenge Lawrence has been willing to accept, opening the innings is a different kind of test. The discomfort of an unfamiliar role for a middle-order batter is real, yet Lawrence has not expressed any hesitation.
"I was just waiting for an opportunity," he said, reflecting on his 17-Test stretch of being on the fringes—carrying drinks, bowling off-spin in the nets, and often being the first to bat in pre-match sessions. "Wherever that opportunity came in the order, I was ready to take it," he added. "I'm just going to enjoy these few weeks, score some runs, and hopefully put my name in the hat for future selection."
Lawrence’s month as captain of London Spirit seems to have polished his diplomatic skills. But after a long absence from Test cricket since the bleak West Indies tour, months before the 2022 Bazball summer, why wouldn’t he be grateful for another chance? Even James Anderson, fresh from a stint of commentating on The Hundred, was enthusiastically taking on the role of wicketkeeper during Monday's training at Old Trafford, before handing over the gloves when Jamie Smith finished his nets session.
This isn't to suggest that Lawrence lacks genuine desire for this opportunity or that England is simply rewarding him for his consistent presence over the last two years. In truth, everything this England team has embodied since 2022 aligns closely with Lawrence’s style—bold stroke play combined with gritty determination, a ruthless approach to taking risks, and a balanced measure of moderation. Earlier this year, Lawrence was eager to get more game time; while the team was on a break in Abu Dhabi between the second and third Test of the India series, he was allowed to play for Desert Vipers in the ILT20. His move to Surrey has seen him take on the role of a spin-bowling all-rounder, a role England considered for him during the India tour but never fully committed to.
It’s easy to forget that when Lawrence first broke into the Test side in Sri Lanka at the start of 2021, he was seen as a fresh, unconventional talent. His wristy stroke play was impressive, combined with an understanding of the hard work needed to succeed. Lawrence had honed his skills on the challenging pitches of Chelmsford, initially as an opener, which remained his role for much of his brief second-team career, before becoming a key player in Essex’s successful County Championship campaigns.
However, his initial stint with England didn’t go as smoothly, partly due to the challenging period during Joe Root’s era, which was largely focused on rebuilding. His record of four half-centuries alongside five ducks reflects this inconsistency. But despite having only opened in seven out of 203 red-ball innings, Lawrence views this week as a new beginning.
"In my first stint, I showed flashes of what I’m capable of, but I was definitely inconsistent. There were some high points, but also some low scores, which I think came with being young and not fully understanding my game at that time," he reflected. "Now, I see this as a fresh start."
It’s not far-fetched to think that if Sri Lanka had won more than three of their last 11 away Tests, since 2021, Lawrence’s chance to start might have been delayed even further. And it’s not impossible that this opportunity could end in disappointment. Sri Lanka’s seamers are known for their attacking, full-length deliveries, and with gloomy conditions expected in Manchester, Lawrence, who isn’t a natural opener, faces a significant challenge.
Michael Vaughan recently voiced his concerns about Lawrence’s selection in a column, while also acknowledging his strengths. When asked about Vaughan’s comments, Lawrence’s response was diplomatic: "Well, thankfully it’s not up to me to make those decisions. I was asked to open the batting, and of course, I said yes. People will have their opinions, but I’m obviously thrilled to get the chance."