Ben Stokes deputised as Ben Duckett’s opening partner at Edgbaston, hitting a record-breaking 24-ball half-century, but Lawrence will take up the role against Sri Lanka. He has batted in every position from No. 3-7 during his 11 Tests but is not a specialist opener, having filled the role seven times in his first-class career – including twice as a pinch-hitter.
Lawrence has been England’s spare batter for the past year but has not played a Test since Joe Root’s final series as captain against West Indies in early 2022. England’s decision to promote a middle-order batter rather than drafting in a specialist opener further emphasises their interest in players’ attributes, rather than their outcomes at the county level.
ESPNcricinfo revealed on Sunday morning that Pennington was a major doubt for the series after injuring his hamstring on Northern Superchargers debut on Friday night. Stokes suggested before the Edgbaston Test that Pennington would be “ready to go” against Sri Lanka if selected, but he is now expected to miss the rest of the English summer.
Stone, whose last Test came against New Zealand in June 2021, has been plagued by injuries in the past three years but returns to the squad in Pennington’s place. He has only taken ten Championship wickets at 47.00 this season, but bowls with genuine pace and has ten wickets at 19.40 in his three-match Test career to date.
Sam Cook, the outstanding bowler in the Championship in recent years, has been overlooked following his return from a hamstring injury, while Matthew Potts will remain with the squad after running the drinks during the West Indies series. The first Test starts on August 21 at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.
England Test squad vs Sri Lanka
Ben Stokes (capt), Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone
Content Source: www.espncricinfo.com