England vs Sri Lanka: Matthew Potts in the hosts’ starting eleven in the first Test

“One of my greatest strengths is that I can adapt to any batting position pretty well,” Lawrence told BBC Sport.

“I’ve been up and down the order over the last few years. I haven’t been an opening act for a while, but I’m really looking forward to performing with Ben Duckett and hopefully putting on a show.”

Lawrence has been in the England squad for most of Stokes’ tenure, playing as a reserve batsman in the Ashes, on the tour of India and again in the first half of this summer.

While Crawley is likely to return to the side immediately if fit, Lawrence could take inspiration from Brook, who has been in top form and earned a permanent place in the England Test team as a replacement for the injured Jonny Bairstow.

“I’m not really looking that far,” Lawrence said. “Obviously I’d like to score a lot of runs and give Baz (McCullum) a headache, but I fully understand that the top six have been fantastic over the last 18-24 months and I’m sure Zak will be back as soon as he’s fit.”

“I’m just trying to make an impression in these three weeks, really enjoy it and not think about what will happen in the future.”

More to follow.