I think Dan Lawrence as spin cover is a bit of nonsense, says Mark Butcher

England named a 16-member squad on August 6, 2026 for the first two of the three Tests against Pakistan. Dan Lawrence has been recalled to the Test side for the first time in two years, with his offspin positioned to fill the allrounder spot left vacant by Ben Stokes' international retirement. Lawrence will bat at number six in the squad, while Rehan Ahmed was overlooked for the role.

Former England batter Mark Butcher has offered a detailed critique of the squad composition and Lawrence's selection. Butcher examined the challenges facing captain Joe Root as he leads the side for the first time since Stokes retired from Test cricket following the home series against New Zealand.

"The 16-man squad is, well it's either very comprehensive or it's incomprehensible, trying to cover lots and lots of bases and trying to cover the three men that Ben Stokes was in the team," Butcher said on Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast.

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Butcher's primary concern centres on Lawrence's role as a spin option alongside Root. The former batter stated that pairing the two as spin cover represents a flawed approach to squad balance and team composition. Butcher acknowledged the difficulty of replacing a player who had fulfilled multiple roles in the England team.

"My first take is 'good luck Joe [Root],' really, because you're in that position that many England captains have been in before, and Joe himself was over much of his 65-Test match period in charge, whereby Ben Stokes was the all-rounder then and has until recently been now. When he is not available in England teams that rely on having four seamers plus a spinner for the balance of the team, it's nigh on impossible," Butcher said.

"I think the Dan Lawrence thing as spin cover along with Joe Root is a bit of a nonsense. Again, I will reiterate that it's not because I don't think Dan Lawrence is a very good cricketer, I just don't think he's a Test match spin bowler. So that's where that comes from," he added.

Lawrence recalled, Cox to bat at 3 for two ENG-PAK Tests

Butcher also suggested that either Calvin Harrison or Rehan could fill the all-rounder's role while batting at No. 7. Harrison has impressed with his performances in The Hundred Men's 2026 and has also enjoyed an excellent run in the domestic circuit across all formats, making a strong case for selection.

"... There is still the thought that you could have picked one of the two leg-spinning all-rounders in [Calvin] Harrison, or Rehan Ahmed as to be a genuine spin bowler who could bat at seven. Of the two of those I think Harrison is probably the better bowler. But, again, it does leave you short as far as the batting is concerned." He said.

Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the three-match series with a right knee injury. Jordan Cox replaces Bethell and will bat at number three. The first Test begins at Headingley on August 19, 2026.