Liam Dawson gets recalled to the England cricket squad for next week’s fourth Test. He’s replacing Shoaib Bashir who is out after fracturing a finger. This is a big time in Dawson’s life. Having not played a Test match since 2017, he now finds himself on the brink of making his first Test appearance in eight years.
Dawson, 35, produced moments of astonishing resilience and high skill as a left-arm spinner in domestic red-ball cricket. His performances for them have been outstanding, most notably in the County Championship. His consistent performances for Hampshire have earned him recognition, culminating in his recent accolade as the Professional Cricketers’ Association Player of the Year in 2024. His best first-class batting average of 35.29 adds depth to England’s batting ranks. This is particularly true for the often-overlooked number eight position.
Dawson’s selection for the squad has left Jack Leach – another left-handed bowler with an England central contract – out in the cold. In like manner, Leach won’t be playing in this game. Kane Dawson plucked his first cap against India in Chennai back in 2016. Since then, he has impressed with the ball and bat, notching seven wickets and a massive half-century in his growing international career. He has a legitimate shot at being selected as an injury replacement. Perhaps most significantly, this opportunity would now be his pathway to being added to the Ashes tour later this winter.
Luke Wright, a former England international, lauded Dawson’s inclusion, stating, “Liam Dawson deserves his call-up. He has been in outstanding form in the County Championship and consistently puts in strong performances for Hampshire.”
Dawson himself is down to earth about his impending return to international cricket. “It’s not something I even worry about anymore,” he remarked. He added a note of realism about his career trajectory: “I’m 35 now, if it comes then brilliant but I’m very realistic that those days are over.”
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