Liam Dawson: I'm ready to embrace unexpected revival of my England career
Dawson's international CV has been more stop than start since he debuted in 2016, a frequent squad member who collected just 20 caps across all three formats before an abrupt halt seemingly saw the left-arm spinner consigned to the past.
As England searched far and wide for slow bowling solutions in red and white ball cricket, he quietly levelled up at Hampshire to become one of the most productive performers on the county circuit.
On Friday, the 35-year-old finally returned to the fold for Harry Brook's first T20 as captain and gave his team-mates a strong reminder of what they have been missing.
He walked away as player-of-the-match after picking up four for 20 against the West Indies – his best figures in an England shirt – and a chance to end his playing days on a stage he had almost given up on.
'I had got to an age where I probably thought international cricket was gone,' he admitted.
'In my domestic career, I've tried to go out there and just enjoy playing for whoever I'm playing for. It was about going out there and not worrying about playing for England.
'I think that can hamper you sometimes so I've not really worried about that. I'm at an age now where I know that I'm close to finishing.
'I'm on the edge of that. So now it's just about enjoyment, trying to work smarter in your training and just believing that you're good enough.'
1st ODI, Edgbaston - Eng won by 238 runs
2nd ODI, Cardiff - Eng won by 3 wkts
3rd ODI, Oval - Eng won by 7 wkts
1st T20, Durham - Eng won by 21 runs
2nd T20, Bristol - Jun 8
3rd T20, Southampton - Jun 10
One man who has no doubt that Dawson has the quality to thrive is Brook. He was a driving force in bringing the all-rounder back into the fold and has earmarked him for a significant role at next year's T20 World Cup on turning tracks in India and Sri Lanka.
'Personally, I think he's been knocking on the door for years to try and solidify that spot and the performance we saw from him was awesome,' said Brook.
'Him and Adil Rashid working in tandem at both ends is going be good to watch in the coming years. He can also help the younger lads along the way, to have him in the inner circle when they are bowling is going to help us a lot.'
Dawson's counsel could be particularly valuable for Jacob Bethell, whose electric batting and fielding is currently running ahead of his left-arm finger spin.
England are keen for him to develop into a genuine all-round package and having a seasoned campaigner as mentor may be the key that unlocks his full potential.
'I'd love to speak to him about bowling and I'm sure I'll get to know him more as the series goes on,' said Dawson.
'He's a great talent. Watching him in the nets yesterday…he's a freak. I'm sure he'll play a lot for England.'
The series continues in Bristol on Sunday and concludes at Dawson's stomping ground in Southampton on Tuesday, games he is surely inked in for already. Yet his experiences mean he has no intention of taking his shirt for granted.
He added: 'I know how cricket works, you've got to be consistent and it's only one game. So I'll park this and go again. It would be nice to play at my home ground, if selected.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Anthony Joshua teases surprise move into another sport amid Jake Paul showdown talks
Anthony Joshua has taken to social media to make a plea to Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn over a business venture in a different sport. Since turning professional in 2013 Joshua has been attached to the Matchroom banner, a partnership that led to two-time world champion status for the 2012 Olympic gold medallist. Currently sidelined as he recovers from elbow surgery he underwent earlier this year, Joshua appears to be brainstorming ideas for life after boxing, suggesting to Hearn that they tackle football agency together. He posted on his Instagram story: 'Eddie Hearn, the family has conquered darts, snooker, pool, boxing, fishing, golf, owning a football club & you've had a presence in basketball, netball & gymnastics. 'I believe 'we' could look at the football agency industry and have a strong presence. 'Imagine we help manager the player who helped England win the World Cup. 'Call me tomorrow mate.' Eddie Hearn's father, founder of Matchroom Barry Hearn, owned English Football League club Leyton Orient for the best part of two decades, but that is the limit of the family's direct involvement in the sport. However, Matchroom's success across a variety of sports would give them instant authority in the world of football. There has been some overlap with football agencies and promotions in the past, with one of the biggest companies in soccer, Wasserman, buying Team Sauerland and creating Wasserman Boxing in 2021. In May, Joshua confirmed that he was exploring the possibility of buying shares in hometown football club Watford. The Hornets have bounced between the Premier League and Championship over the past 20 years, but whilst Joshua is fond of the club, it appeared to be more of a financial decision. He told Seconds Out: "We wanted to move into private equity, venture capital funds. As you earn, naturally, you want to save. "So rather than me spending recklessly I'm trying to invest money into certain asset classes and that was an opportunity that presented itself. 'Nothing's come of it yet. It's a serious investment. If it comes off it's one that should do well. 'If they went back to the Premier League, then I'd need to get a shop on Market Street because the traffic that would be coming through Watford would be phenomenal. 'If we don't do it then good luck to them anyway because they're a great team." Speculation has surrounded Joshua in recent days, with rumours about his next opponent. Latest Queensberry recruit Tony Yoka is one mooted option, but Jake Paul's camp have claimed that talks with Matchroom have started regarding a potential bout between their fighter and Joshua. DAZN Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Saturday briefing: Isak interests Liverpool and Son set for Tottenham exit
Alexander Isak's future was once again a red-hot topic as Liverpool reportedly upped their interest in the Newcastle striker on Friday. Tottenham captain Son Heung-min announced his intention to leave the club, while Spurs are closing in on the loan signing of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich and Everton are pursuing a deal for Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling. Isak bid rejected Newcastle have rejected a bid from Liverpool for striker Alexander Isak, according to reports. The 25-year-old Sweden striker has been training at his old club Real Sociedad this week amid reports he has asked Newcastle executives to explore a move away from the club. He has been heavily linked with Liverpool, who are now reported to have made a bid for the player which Newcastle have knocked back. Isak still has three years left on his contract with Newcastle. Neither club has commented on the matter. Son Heung-min set for Tottenham farewell Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has revealed he will leave the club this summer. Son has spent the last decade at Spurs and achieved his goal of silverware in May when he helped them to Europa League success with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United. It ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club and South Korea captain Son explained his decision to target a 'fresh challenge' during a press conference in his home country ahead of Tottenham's pre-season friendly with Newcastle on Sunday. After Spurs arrived in Seoul on Friday, Son – following a remarkable 454 appearances and 173 goals for the north London club – confirmed his desire to depart this summer, with MLS outfit Los Angeles FC leading the race for his signature, the PA news agency understands. Son told a press conference: 'Before we start, I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer. 'Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision. 'It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career, such amazing memories. It was so hard to make this decision.' Spurs close in on Palhinha Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha underwent a medical at Tottenham on Friday, the PA news agency understands. Spurs are eager to boost their squad for new boss Thomas Frank ahead of the club's return to the Champions League this season and set their sights on the Portugal international. Palhinha only signed for Bayern last summer from Fulham in a deal worth up to £47.4million but endured a difficult debut campaign and made only six starts in Bundesliga, which has opened the door for a return to the Premier League. Talks between Tottenham and Bayern got under way on Thursday and PA understands an agreement was reached with Palhinha given the green light to undergo a medical ahead of the proposed move. Lockyer nears football return Former Luton captain Tom Lockyer has revealed he is 'four weeks away' from being allowed to play football again. Lockyer has not played since suffering a cardiac arrest during Luton's Premier League game against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in December 2023, while he collapsed on the field just seven months earlier during the Hatters' Sky Bet Championship play-off final win at Wembley against Coventry. Lockyer, speaking ahead of Luton's opening Sky Bet League One fixture against AFC Wimbledon at Kenilworth Road, told Sky Sports: 'I haven't had a break, I've been working all the way through, just trying to get this ankle right and trying to get fit. 'But I've had a really good few weeks and hopefully now I'm four weeks away from getting signed off and told I'm allowed to play football again.' Saints want more for Dibling Everton are looking to sign Tyler Dibling but are well below Southampton's current valuation, the PA news agency understands. The 19-year-old caught the eye during his breakthrough campaign, scoring four goals in 38 appearances in all competitions for the relegated side. A number of Premier League clubs have tracked Dibling's progress and Everton have seen an initial approach in the region of £27million rejected by the Championship club. The Toffees are reportedly ready to make another move for the England Under-21s international, but PA understands Saints want in excess of £40m for the academy graduate. What's on today? After Luton edged out AFC Wimbledon on Friday night, Sky Bet League One gets in full swing with 10 fixtures while there is a full League Two programme. Rangers get their Scottish Premiership campaign under way with a trip to Motherwell and Kilmarnock welcome Livingston.
Rhyl Journal
4 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Yorkshire boost survival hopes after thrashing Sussex in Scarborough
Daniel Hughes and Danial Ibrahim had made fifties to give Sussex hope of batting out the final day in Scarborough, but Matt Milnes dismissed both overnight batters in his first couple of overs. Milnes was the pick of the Yorkshire attack with five for 31 as Sussex added just 80 runs on the fourth day, all out for 195 and only Fynn Hudson-Prentice offering resistance with an unbeaten 52. Matt Milnes completes his first Yorkshire 5-fer to bring us home! 👏 — Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) August 1, 2025 Victory for Yorkshire takes the White Rose up from ninth in the table to seventh, although there are only 15 points separating fifth-placed Hampshire and ninth-spotted Durham with three matches left. Hampshire might have put more of a gap between themselves and those below them ,but fell two wickets short of beating rock-bottom Worcestershire at New Road. A declaration on 313 for seven left the Pears needing 358 in 53 overs for just a second win of the season and Jake Libby cracked 106 from just 122 balls – his second century of the match. Hampshire kept chipping away, with highly-rated quicks Sonny Baker and Eddie Jack each claiming three wickets, but hands were shaken with Worcestershire on 303 for eight after 52.5 overs. "It was a great game of cricket" 😅 Captain Ben Brown is pleased with his side's efforts to try and bowl Worcestershire out and force a result after rain played a big impact across the four days 🤝 📰 Report & Reaction ⤵️ — Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) August 1, 2025 Nottinghamshire sit nine points adrift of leaders Surrey after being held to a draw by Somerset at Trent Bridge. With a 106-run first-innings lead in a high-scoring match, Nottinghamshire needed to make inroads into Somerset's batting. But while Calvin Harrison took three wickets, Somerset getting to 200 for five meant a stalemate was agreed. Ed Barnard went from an overnight 90 to 108 for Warwickshire, but mid-afternoon rain meant their match at Essex petered out to a draw. GLAMORGAN WIN AT OLD TRAFFORD FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1993!!!!! What a team, what an effort, and what an incredible performance 👏👏👏#LANvGLAM #OhGlammyGlammy — Glamorgan Cricket 🏆 (@GlamCricket) August 1, 2025 In Division Two, Glamorgan remain on course for promotion after claiming their first win at Emirates Old Trafford since 1993. Any hopes of Lancashire reeling in 473 from an overnight 226 for five were soon extinguished despite Marcus Harris' 61 as the Red Rose were all out for 318. Leaders Leicestershire were frustrated by Ben Compton's double hundred as their clash at Kent ended in a draw. Unbeaten fifties from Luis Reece and Brooke Guest and the rain helped Derbyshire avoid defeat at Northamptonshire, while Joe Phillips hit his maiden first-class ton as Gloucestershire versus Middlesex was also draw at Cheltenham.
