Crawley set for Eng return against Pak

His return questions Dan Lawrence's place in the team

Zak Crawley is poised to make his return to England's Test squad for the upcoming series in Pakistan, which begins on October 7th.

The 26-year-old, who has established himself as England's opening batsman alongside Ben Duckett, missed the entire Test series against Sri Lanka due to a broken finger. However, his recovery is progressing well, and he is expected to be fit in time for the Pakistan tour.

Crawley's return raises questions about the composition of England's squad, particularly concerning Dan Lawrence's place in the team. Lawrence, typically a middle-order batsman, was promoted to open against Sri Lanka, but his performances have been underwhelming, with just 80 runs at an average of 20 across two Tests.

This series is seen as a crucial opportunity for Lawrence, who has struggled to cement his place in the Test side, averaging 27.4 over 13 matches.

Having moved to Surrey this season, Lawrence has developed his off-spin, which could be a valuable asset on the subcontinent. However, his bowling has been underutilized, with only two overs bowled in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. With England's top seven likely to be at full strength for the Pakistan tour, Lawrence's position in the squad is uncertain.

Jordan Cox, who has been the reserve batsman during the Sri Lanka series, presents another option for England. The Essex player has had an outstanding first-class season, scoring 918 runs at an average of 65.6. Cox, 23, is also a viable backup wicketkeeper, offering flexibility in squad selection.

However, his involvement in England's limited-overs plans might see him miss the Pakistan series in favor of the white-ball tour of the Caribbean in November.

Crawley has been a key player under the leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. Since the start of the 2023 summer, Crawley has averaged 43.8 in 14 Tests, playing a crucial role in setting the tone for England's aggressive approach.

England team is currently engaged in a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, holding a decisive 2-0 lead with the final Test scheduled to take place from September 6. Following this, England will face off against Australia in a three-match T20I and five-match ODI series from September 11-29.