Lawrence fits England’s bill

DAN LAWRENCE is confident his swash-buckling style is perfect for England — despite it costing him a maiden Test century. Lawrence transformed a slow first day of the second Test against the West Indies in Barbados last year when he smashed 13 fours and a six. But on 91 and with his first Test century in sight, and having hit Jason Holder for two fours in the last over of the day, he went for a third and was out.

Little did Lawrence, 25, know his method would soon become the norm under the new England regime that changed Test cricket last summer. and captain Ben Stokes certainly took note, despite a hamstring injury ruling Lawrence out of the start of the revolution. Now he will leave for New Zealand next week, restored to the Test squad and desperate to carry on where he left off in the Caribbean. ‘It was a tough one to take and it took a while to get over,’ Lawrence told Sportsmail. ‘It was bitterly disappointing to get out. It was a classic case of getting a bit too excited and wanting to get the hundred that night.

‘If I had that chance again, I’d be even more aggressive. I wouldn’t be half-hearted. It is how I try to play. ‘Personal milestones are important but as long as you’re trying to make an impact you can’t go too far wrong. ‘To get the call now means more than when I first played for England.’