Dan Lawrence at risk of England axe with Zak Crawley fit for Pakistan tour

Zak Crawley is expected to return for England’s series in Pakistan next month, leaving Dan Lawrence fighting for his Test future in this week’s third Test against Sri Lanka at the Oval.

Crawley, established as England’s opening batsman alongside Ben Duckett, was ruled out of all of England’s Test series against Sri Lanka after an operation on a broken finger. But Telegraph Sport understands that his recovery is on course and he is ready to return for the three Tests in Pakistan, which begin on Oct 7.

The welcome return of Crawley will create difficult decisions about the make-up of the tour party to Pakistan.

Lawrence, who is a middle-order batsman at county level, has been promoted to open against Sri Lanka, with England eager to give him another Test chance after a two-year period outside the side. He has made 80 runs at an average of 20 in the two Tests so far, repeatedly succumbing driving against deliveries just outside his off stump. In 13 Tests for England, Lawrence now averages 27.4.

After moving to Surrey before the start of the 2024 season, Lawrence has developed his off-spin, which could count in his favour for Pakistan. But he has bowled only two overs so far across the two Tests against Sri Lanka.

England’s first-choice top seven should all be fit to face Pakistan, with captain Ben Stokes also expected to return for the tour. While Lawrence still has a good chance of winning selection, the final Test of the summer could now be his last chance in the team for some time.

If England opted to take only one reserve batsman to Pakistan, that could leave Lawrence in a contest with Essex’s Jordan Cox, who has been the reserve against Sri Lanka.

Cox has enjoyed a stellar first-class season, hitting 918 runs at 65.6. Aged 23, he is four years younger than Lawrence.

Cox could also provide specialist wicketkeeping cover for Jamie Smith, though Ollie Pope kept in a Test in Pakistan two years ago and Ben Duckett has also kept in the professional game.

Unlike Lawrence, Cox currently figures in England’s limited-overs plans, and won a call-up to face Australia in the Twenty20 series beginning on Sept 11. As a result, Cox could be picked for the white-ball tour of the Caribbean in November, missing the Test series in Pakistan, which could allow Lawrence to retain his place in the squad.

Either way, Cox is expected to tour New Zealand in November and December. With incumbent wicketkeeper Smith likely to miss at least a Test for the birth of his child, Cox is well-set to make his Test debut in New Zealand.

Crawley sustained the injury while dropping a catch in England’s win over West Indies at Edgbaston in July. Until being injured, Crawley had played every Test since the appointments of Stokes as captain and Brendon McCullum as head coach in May 2022. The Kent batsman averages 35.6 under the regime, with his record trending upwards.

Since the start of the 2023 summer, Crawley is averaging 43.8 in 14 Tests, with a strike rate of 81, setting the tone for England’s entire approach. His reliable slip catching is also crucial for the team.

Brook hints at future leadership roles after channelling Stokes

Harry Brook said he took inspiration from Ben Stokes during his first experience of captaincy in the professional game this summer.

Brook, vice-captain for the Test side this summer with Ollie Pope standing in for the injured Stokes, led Northern Superchargers in the Hundred under Andrew Flintoff.

“It was good fun, it was different but it was good fun,” Brook said, saying he relished working with head coach Flintoff. “I had Fred as well with me and I feel like we’re quite good mates now as well. We bonded fairly well and we agreed on most things.”

While Flintoff will not work with England’s white-ball squad against Australia this month, as Telegraph Sport revealed, he will link up with the Test squad at the Oval this week. Flintoff is working with the Test side for the first time, stepping in for Marcus Trescothick, who is working as head coach of the white-ball side against Australia.

Brook captained Ben Stokes at Northern Superchargers and after playing under Stokes for two years in the England Test side, he said he tried to channel Stokes’s spirit when captaining.

“I’ve played with Stokesy quite a bit now and, watching the way he goes about it, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t take a few learnings from him,” Brook said. “I did have a lot of fun, it made it a lot easier having Fred there.”

Brook has acted as vice-captain to Pope in the first two Tests against Sri Lanka and asked whether he had any further leadership ambitions, he said: “We’ll see.”

Brook said that he has enjoyed his first stint as vice-captain in the Test team, and hailed Pope’s performance as skipper. Despite England sealing the series with a game to spare, Pope has faced significant criticism, including from Telegraph Sport columnist Michael Vaughan.

“I haven’t had to do much to be honest,” Brook said. “I think Popey has done an amazing job. I’ve tried to give him a few ideas here and there, he’s taken some and he’s shrugged some off, so it’s been good so far.

“It’s not a massive role really is it. Obviously if he goes down I might take over but I’m not really thinking about that. I’m just trying to help him as much as I can while I’m on the field and he’s been amazing.”

Brook said that little had changed in the team set-up even with Stokes injured. “Whether Stokesy is running the show or Popey is, it’s going to be the same. So it’s been fun,” he said.

Brook has scored only one Test century in his last 19 innings. He has made three consecutive scores in the 30s against Sri Lanka, following 56 in the first innings of the series.

“It’s frustrating to get starts,” Brook admitted. “But I feel like I’m batting really well and hopefully it’s just a matter of time when a big one comes.”