Gareth Batty makes Chris Woakes comparison as he looks for Tom Lawes to step up in 2026
12.03.26, 10:00 Updated 12.03.26, 11:52 3 Minute Read
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.”
Lawes is set to play a prominent part in Surrey’s early-season bid to put last season’s County Championship runners-up disappointment quickly behind them.
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