Daniel Lawrence doesn't look like a Test opener: Nasser Hussain
Former England captain, Nasser Hussain, has expressed doubts about Dan Lawrence's suitability as a Test opener. In his latest column for Daily Mail, Hussain highlighted Lawrence's need for a more robust strategy when facing deliveries outside the off-stump. This critique follows Lawrence's underwhelming performance in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka, where he was positioned as a temporary opener due to Zak Crawley's injury. Lawrence scored just 120 runs across six Test innings.
How did Lawrence fare in Sri Lanka series?
Lawrence, primarily a middle-order batter, was paired with Ben Duckett as an opener following Crawley's finger fracture. However, his performance in this role was less than stellar. He managed to score only 120 runs across six innings, averaging a mere 20 runs per inning. Hussain emphasized that regardless of his position on the field, Lawrence needs to improve his patience and skills when dealing with off-stump deliveries.
Hussain's advice to Lawrence
Hussain suggested that Lawrence could benefit from emulating the strategies of legendary opener Alastair Cook. He advised him to either adopt Cook's method of leaving balls outside off-stump or continue with England's current aggressive approach. This advice comes as part of Hussain's broader critique of Lawrence's performance as a Test opener.
Lawrence's future in England's Test season
Looking ahead, Hussain believes that Lawrence may face competition from reserve batter Jordan Cox. He noted that despite his recent performance, Lawrence's off-spin bowling could be an asset for the team. This skill set might give him an edge over Cox and secure his place on the tour, especially as Crawley is expected to return as Duckett's partner.
