Dan Lawrence expressed disappointment after being dismissed for 65 in what is likely his final Test innings of the England summer series. The batsman had shown fluent and aggressive form, striking nine boundaries and forging a productive partnership of 86 runs with Harry Brook, helping to assert England’s dominance. However, Lawrence was visibly frustrated after being bowled by Mohammad Imran, mistiming a shot onto his stumps.

Lawrence reflected positively on his performance despite falling short of a century. “I was feeling really good,” he said. “Got on a bit of a roll with Brook early on. It wasn’t the intended plan to go out there and play shots but we got on a roll and just sort of went with it.” He acknowledged the pitch offered a favorable batting surface against a fatigued bowling attack and believed he was set for a large score. “If you’d have offered me 65 at the start of the day I’d have taken it, though,” he added.

Since being recalled to the Test side after a two-year absence, Lawrence has shown consistency, registering three half-centuries in four innings, although a maiden Test century has eluded him. He noted, “Overall I have missed out two big chances to make really big scores — three fifties in four innings and run out in the other — but I am happy with how I have played. I am pretty happy with how I have contributed.”

Lawrence’s earlier stint in the England Test team during the 2024 series against Sri Lanka was less successful, particularly after being shifted to opening the batting. Averaging just 20 across three matches, he was subsequently dropped from the squad. “I always knew that my ability was good enough to play at this level but hadn’t shown it. It was obviously a tough time when I was dropped but I just was concentrating on getting big runs in county cricket and that has helped get me back into the side,” he explained.

Looking ahead, Lawrence expressed confidence in England’s prospects to complete a series whitewash in the ongoing Test summer. “They were great conditions to bowl in tonight and we thought we could put a big dent into it, but there was always a big band of rain coming over, so we were happy with taking two wickets and hopefully can take the remaining eight pretty quickly tomorrow,” he said.