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Gareth Batty makes Chris Woakes comparison as he looks for Tom Lawes to step up in 2026

Surrey's head coach says 23-year-old paceman Lawes has similar all-round skills to those that earned England's Woakes an international reputation...

12.03.26, 10:00 Updated 12.03.26, 11:52 3 Minute Read

Mark Baldwin

Mark Baldwin

Fast bowler Tom Lawes is being compared to a young Chris Woakes by Surrey’s head coach Gareth Batty, ahead of what could be a step-up summer in the 23-year-old’s burgeoning career.

“I know that Woakes, as a proven international player, is a big name to mention in relation to Tom but we see a lot of comparisons in his cricketing skills,” says Batty.

“The only way is to work hard, but his batting is also coming on very nicely so it’s all there for Tom to keep on building his all-round game.”

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Mark Baldwin

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