It's an open and shut case for stand-in Dan

LAWRENCE PROMISES TO STAY TRUE TO ATTACKING INSTINCT

- Rory Dollard

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

It is almost two-and-a-half years since the Surrey star won the last of his 11 caps. But he will finally get the chance to add to to add to his tally in tomorrow'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 only seven occasions in a decade of county cricket, England have backed him as Ben Duckett's new partner, rather than drafting in a specialist.