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In a significant twist to the ongoing Test series between India and England, veteran English all-rounder Liam Dawson has been called into the squad as a replacement for the injured Shoaib Bashir. This recall marks a remarkable return to the Test arena for Dawson after an eight-year hiatus, showcasing his enduring talent and the selectors’ trust in his abilities. As the series heads into its crucial fourth Test, all eyes will be on Dawson and the impact he can make.
Here are some key facts about Liam Dawson:
Early life and domestic dominance
Born on March 1, 1990, in Swindon, Wiltshire, Liam Andrew Dawson’s cricketing journey began at a young age. He quickly rose through the ranks of youth cricket, being identified by Hampshire, where he has remained a cornerstone of their side. Dawson is a right-handed batsman and a slow left-arm orthodox spinner, a combination that makes him a valuable all-rounder in any format.
His domestic career for Hampshire has been characterized by consistent performances with both bat and ball. Dawson has accumulated over 10,000 first-class runs and 371 wickets, statistics that highlight his prowess and longevity in county cricket. In 2008, at just 18 years old, he became the youngest player to score a first-class century for Hampshire, a testament to his early promise.
International breakthrough and Test debut against India
Dawson’s impressive domestic form earned him his international debut for England in 2016, initially in the white-ball formats. He made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka in July 2016 and followed it up with an ODI debut against Pakistan in September of the same year. Liam Dawson received his maiden Test cap on December 16, 2016, against India in Chennai during the fifth Test of that series. In a memorable debut, he showcased his all-round capabilities by scoring an unbeaten 66 in England’s first innings, batting at number eight. With the ball, he picked up two wickets, including that of Murali Vijay. While he played two more Tests against South Africa in 2017, he subsequently fell out of contention for the red-ball format, focusing primarily on limited-overs cricket and franchise leagues.
Franchise cricket and his resurgent form
Despite his absence from the Test team for an extended period, Dawson has remained a highly sought-after player in franchise cricket around the world. He has plied his trade in various T20 leagues, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), The Hundred, and SA20, gaining invaluable experience and refining his skills in high-pressure environments. His success in these leagues has provided him with global exposure and contributed to his continuous development as a cricketer.
His recent outstanding performances for Hampshire in the County Championship, where he has not only taken a significant number of wickets but also scored heavily with the bat, have been impossible for the England selectors to ignore. This consistent all-round display has been the primary driver behind his surprising, yet well-deserved, Test recall. As England looks to maintain their lead in the series against India, Dawson’s experience, left-arm spin, and handy lower-order batting could prove to be crucial asset.
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