England’s preparations for their upcoming five-Test series were rocked on Sunday (January 21) by the news that Harry Brook will miss at least a section of the series.

An initial ECB statement specified that Brook would miss the entire series but that detail was later removed from the ECB website. There remains a chance that Brook, who is returning home for personal reasons, will fly back out to India for the later stages of the tour. The ECB statement also asked for the media and public to respect the Brook family’s request for privacy at this time.

It is a major blow for England. Brook has been a revelation since making his Test debut in September 2022. No English batter has reached 1,000 Test runs in fewer innings than Brook since World War II and after 12 Tests the right-hander averages over 60 with four hundreds and seven other fifty-plus scores. He is also perhaps the most attacking of England’s turbo-charged top seven, striking at over 90 in Test cricket since his debut against South Africa at The Oval.

Lawrence has been called up in Brook’s place. The 26-year-old hasn’t represented England since Joe Root’s final Test in charge as captain back in March 2022 against West Indies in Grenada. That said, Lawrence was a regular presence in squads across the 2023 summer without getting a game.

Lawrence has played 11 Tests to date and featured in three of the four Tests England played in India on their previous tour there in 2021. The Surrey batter started the series at No. 3, failing to pass 30 in any of his first four innings in the series before losing his place for the third Test at Ahmedabad. Lawrence was then recalled for the series finale where he scored 96 runs across both innings from No.7 as England fell to an innings defeat.

His inclusion in the squad potentially gives England more flexibility when it comes to selection. With Ben Stokes unable to bowl, England are devoid of any genuine all-round options. While Lawrence has only 20 first-class wickets to his name, his off-spin was rarely required at Essex given the presence of not only the prolific Simon Harmer but also the leg-spin of Matt Critchley. Lawrence was in good form with the ball in the 2023/24 Big Bash League, taking six wickets at 8.50 for the Melbourne Stars.

The first Test of the series begins on Thursday, January 25 at Hyderabad.