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 clash with 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 set 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 ahead of the 2024 season, Lawrence has developed his off-spin, which could count in his favour ahead of the tour to Pakistan. But he has only bowled 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 for the tour of Pakistan, the final Test of the summer against Sri Lanka could now be his last chance in a Test team for some time.
If England only opted to take 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 for Kent. 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 September 11. As such, 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 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.
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