Manchester, Aug 26: Following a fractured finger injury to regular opener Zak Crawley, England drafted in middle order batter and spin bowling all-rounder Dan Lawrence to open the innings in the First Test against Sri Lanka, here.
But his mode of dismissals upset former England opener Geoffrey Boycott so much that he compared his role at top of the rder as a square peg in a round hole. Boycott lamented England's decision to open with Lawrence stating his dismissals transpired that Lawrence is not an opener.
Boycott pointed out that Lawrence's s judgment around off stump is poor and his shot selection is fraught with danger. Boycott also questioned England's decision to open with Lawrence, who bats lower down the order in county cricket.
Boycott made a satirical remark in his column in an established English daily saying that opening in a red-ball game is a specialist job and one does not learn that in Test cricket.
Lawrence though made 64 runs in the Manchester Test (30 in first innings and 34 in second), but Boycott was not happy. He pointed out that Lawrence was struggling with his footwork and is vulnerable outside off stump.
The manner in which Lawrence was dismissed in both the innings did not impress Boycott. He even compared him with Dom Sibley, who loves playing on the leg-side more. Sibley opened in 22 Tests for England.
However, Boycott appreciated Lawrence for striking the cricket ball hard. He remarked though Lawrence can be successful down the order against spinners as he strikes the cricket ball hard, but he has to improve his footwork and judgement outside off stump, if he is keen to do well as a Test opener.
Lawrence has played 12 Tests for England and has scored 615 runs in 23 innings, with 91 being his highest score. He has scalped three Test match wickets against his name as well.
