Liam Dawson, the English all-rounder who once believed his Test cricket career was over, is making an unexpected comeback after an eight-year hiatus.
From Debut to Drinks Man
Liam Dawson’s Test debut in 2016 saw him bravely battle an Ishant Sharma bouncer and score an unbeaten 66. He remarked then how “fast” Test cricket moved.
However, the pace soon slowed for him. Over the next eight months, he played just two more Tests. For years, Dawson became a familiar face in England’s dressing room, not as a player but as the “drinks-man” during their golden era of white-ball cricket.
He has World Cup winning medals from 2019 and 2021, trophies he earned without bowling a single ball in either tournament. This period of carrying drinks, rather than playing, led to profound disillusionment.
The Lure of Franchise Cricket
By last year, Dawson was not only tired of being the “nearly man” but also found more lucrative opportunities in the global franchise leagues. With 16 franchises on his resume, from Chittagong Viking to Sunrisers Eastern Cape, he was earning significantly more elsewhere.
When ECB managing director Robert Key approached him for the Test tour of India, Dawson refused. The lack of a guaranteed spot, combined with the financial clash with South Africa’s SA20 league, which offered a substantial £150,000, made his decision clear.
As a non-contracted England player, he would have earned less for the India tour. He openly stated, “Financially it is something at my age that I will have to consider,” acknowledging the changing landscape of cricket. At 33, he felt “liberated” from the Test dream, having reconciled with his international career’s stop-start nature.
A Stellar County Season Changes Everything
Despite his decision to step away from international aspirations, Dawson’s performances for Hampshire were impossible to ignore. He piled up 956 runs at an average of 59.75 and took 54 wickets at 25.14 last season.
His impressive form, even leading to calls for him to be England’s first-choice T20 World Cup spinner, forced England to call again. This time, Dawson couldn’t refuse, seeing it as a potential “last shot at Test redemption.”
What Dawson Brings to the Team
Dawson, a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, offers a different dynamic compared to other spinners like Bashir. Shorter in stature, he releases the ball from a modest height with a more round-arm action, making his deliveries hard for batsmen to pick up.
Initially known for control and variations in pace and angle, Dawson has added more fizz and turn to his bowling in recent years. This allows him to consistently trouble right-handers on the outside edge, making his arm ball even more dangerous.
Beyond his bowling, Dawson is a proven batsman with 18 first-class hundreds and an average of 35.29, significantly higher than many frontline spinners. His inclusion deepens England’s batting lineup, providing crucial balance.
- Liam Dawson returns to Test cricket after an eight-year absence.
- He previously turned down England due to financial priorities with franchise leagues and burnout.
- His consistent, high-performing county cricket form led to his recall.
- Dawson’s all-round skills, especially his strong batting and improved spin bowling, offer a new dimension to England’s side.
This unexpected return presents Dawson a unique opportunity to make his mark in Test cricket, a format that, for him, has finally begun to move fast again.
