"Incredibly desperate to play" - Ben Stokes announces Dan Lawrence as standby as Ben Duckett expects birth of his child ahead of ENG vs WI 2nd Test

England captain Ben Stokes has revealed that Dan Lawrence is a standby for the side's second Test against the West Indies in Nottingham and will step up in case Ben Duckett doesn't replay. With Ben Duckett expecting the birth of his child, he is expected to leave as the management believes family comes first.

Lawrence has played 11 Tests after debuting during the tour of Sri Lanka in early 2021 but last featured in March 2022. The 27-year-old has churned out 551 runs, averaging 29 alongside four half-centuries.

Speaking ahead of the second Test that starts on Thursday (July 18), Stokes stated that Duckett is desperate to play in Nottingham but they want to make a decision which is better for him on all fronts. As quoted by Sky Sports, he claimed:

"There is a plan and place for Ben and his partner. We will have to make a decision if it was to happen before the game and we were batting but if it happens during the Test, Ben will go and come back into the team. He is incredibly desperate to play this Test match but the message from me and Baz is that family comes first. Whatever decision he ends up making he knows he will get our full support."

The left-handed opener perished for a low score at Lord's as the hosts coasted to an innings win over the Caribbeans. He managed just three runs after facing 13 balls in England's total of 371.

"I think it has been a very smooth transition" - Ben Stokes on James Anderson's role as mentor

Ben Stokes and James Anderson. (Credits: Getty)

Stokes added that the players are keen to learn from James Anderson as he starts his journey as a mentor. The 33-year-old reckons there cannot be a better mentor than Anderson, stating:

"You can see the lads are desperate to pick his brains. It was different before as he was preparing for his own game so it was like, 'Let him do his stuff and pick his brains as much as you can when appropriate.'

"I think it has been a very smooth transition and I think he knows he has so much more to offer English cricket, particularly with the ball. I can't think of a better person to pass on the knowledge of fast bowling to the guys we have at the moment."

England will be keen to win the second Test and seal the Richards-Botham Trophy.