Dan Lawrence

His cricket began at Chingford Cricket Club, where his father was the groundsman. He announced himself in only his second County Championship appearance, compiling 161 without being dismissed against Surrey at the Kia Oval. That innings showed a composure well beyond his years and made him the third youngest player to score a century in county cricket, behind Godfrey Bryan and Dipak Patel.

Lawrence built on that start and came to be regarded as one of the finest young talents on the county circuit. At the 2016 U-19 World Cup he hit 174 against Fiji in the tournament's first match. In 2017 he scored 761 runs as Essex, newly promoted, claimed the County Championship title, and the England Cricket Writers Club named him its Young Cricketer of the Year.

He made his Test debut in 2021 on England's tour of Sri Lanka, scoring 73 in his first innings. Although England's selectors have frequently had him in mind, especially for the longer format, he has found it hard to hold a regular place, competing for the same position as Ollie Pope and Harry Brook. Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum kept him around the squad, and when regular opener Zak Crawley was injured for the 2024 home series against Sri Lanka, Lawrence was given a chance in a role unfamiliar to him.

Beyond England, Lawrence captains London Spirit in The Hundred and has played in franchise competitions around the world, including the BBL, PSL and ILT20.