DAN LAWRENCE is confident he “fits the mould” of an England Test opener in 2024, despite taking up the role just a handful of times in his first-class career.

It is nearly two-and-a-half years since Lawrence won the last of his 11 caps but he will finally get the chance to add to his tally in Wednesday’s series opener against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.

Zak Crawley’s fractured finger has opened up a vacancy at the top of the order and, although Lawrence has headed up the innings on just seven occasions in a decade of county cricket, England have backed him as Ben Duckett’s new partner rather than drafting in a specialist.