Dan Lawrence is refusing to get ahead of himself as the battle for places in England’s batting order hots up.
There are three relative rookies in a revamped top six for the ongoing series against Pakistan, with the returning Lawrence joined by opener Emilio Gay and Jordan Cox.
The latter has filling in at number three in the absence of the injured Jacob Bethell, who has enough credit with the selectors to parachute back into the XI in South Africa this winter.
It is not clear how incoming head coach Stephen Fleming will resolve the situation when he finally takes charge of the team, with a host of potential solutions at play, and Lawrence has no plans on second guessing his place in the pecking order.
He won just three caps in four years under the Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes regime, struggling badly as an ill-fitting stopgap opener in 2024, but has looked better suited since resuming at number six. He followed a comeback knock of 51 at Headingley last week with an exuberant 50 not out in extreme seaming conditions on day three at Lord’s.
With a lead of 357 and three second-innings wickets in hand, the groundwork for a series-clinching win has already been done but Lawrence is trying not to look at the bigger picture.
“I think I got wrapped up in a lot of things when I played for England before,” he admitted.
“I was thinking about my position a lot and what I needed to do to stay in the team, instead of just actually enjoying it and realising how lucky I am to play for England. My mentality since coming back has been completely different to what it was before.
“Obviously thoughts can creep into your head and I’m desperate, along with all the other boys, to establish myself in an England shirt, which is something I haven’t quite done in my career so far.
“It’s just about trying to take every opportunity you get and really enjoy the occasion instead of feeling nervous about the occasion. Just have fun, play the cricket that’s got me here this summer.
“It’s pointless looking to the future because it hasn’t happened yet. I’m just trying to contribute every Test I can and give a good showing of myself.”
With a nod to his experimental stint at the top of the order against Sri Lanka two summers ago, he added: “It’s been great fun. I’m batting in a position that’s a little bit closer to what I’m used to and, thankfully, I contributed to the team.
“Last time I was play for England I was opening and I was happy to do it as a long as I was playing.”
Lawrence partially owed his recall to his improving off spin with Surrey, effectively replacing the retired Stokes as a fifth bowling option, but the success of the seam quartet means he has barely been called upon.
That is not expected to change when England begin their victory push with the ball on Sunday, a fact he is already at ease with.
“If they keep bowling like they have been I probably won’t get too many overs, but I’d love to have the chance,” he said.
“I haven’t really had the chance to show it this series but it’s another string to my bow.”
