Daniel William Lawrence, widely known as Dan Lawrence, is an English cricketer who has gained recognition as a wristy, idiosyncratic talent. Born on April 12, 1997, in Chingford, England, Lawrence has been making waves in the cricket world since his teenage years.
From a young age, Lawrence displayed immense potential and quickly rose through the ranks of his local club, Chingford CC. In April 2015, at the age of 17 years and 290 days, he made headlines by becoming the third-youngest player ever to score a century in a Championship match. His unbeaten 161 against Surrey at The Oval demonstrated his natural flair and self-assuredness as a batsman. This remarkable innings not only secured his place in sporting history but also set multiple records as the youngest Essex first-class centurion and the youngest centurion at The Oval.
Lawrence carried his promising form into the 2016 season, where he continued to impress with three additional Championship centuries, contributing to Essex’s promotion. Throughout his career, Lawrence has showcased his ability to strike boundaries on the leg-side, making him a formidable force in limited-overs formats as well.
In 2017, Lawrence’s exceptional performances garnered him recognition as the Young Cricketer of the Year by the Cricket Writers’ Club. His 761 runs at an average of 44.76, including three centuries, were instrumental in Essex’s triumphant Championship win after a 25-year drought. His consistent scoring earned him a call-up to the England Lions, followed by a spot in a Lions training camp in Australia.
Although his first-class returns saw a relative dip in the subsequent seasons, Lawrence continued to grow as a player in limited-overs cricket. In 2018, he achieved a maiden List A hundred, and the following year, he played a vital role in Essex’s success in the T20 Blast. This period also saw Lawrence named as a “local icon” for the London Spirit team in the inaugural draft of The Hundred.
Lawrence’s performance on the international stage began to gain attention in the winter of 2019. A century against Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in a pink-ball game during a Lions tour helped secure a rare victory for the team. As a result, he caught the eye of the England selectors during the Covid-affected summer of 2020. With several key players absent, Lawrence earned his first call-up for the tours of Sri Lanka and India, making his Test debut in Sri Lanka in early 2021. He impressed with a half-century in the first innings in Galle, but inconsistently featured in subsequent matches as he fought for a regular spot in the England team.
Throughout his career, Lawrence has shown immense potential with both bat and ball. Alongside his batting prowess, he has a commendable spin bowling ability, which has been praised by coaches and teammates. As he continues to hone his skills, Lawrence remains determined to solidify his place in the England national team and contribute to further success in both domestic and international cricket.
Dan Lawrence is a truly gifted cricketer who burst onto the scene with his remarkable talent as a teenager. With his wristy style, natural flair, and self-assurance at the crease, he has become a promising prospect for English cricket. As he strives to establish himself at the highest level, Lawrence’s journey promises to be one filled with exciting performances and continued growth as a player.
