Liam Dawson and the England comeback he thought would never happen

New York Times

23-07-2025

It was early last year that Liam Dawson made a definitive statement on his England future.
'For me, Test cricket is now completely off the radar,' said the then 34-year-old all-rounder. 'I want to enjoy my cricket and try to win trophies towards the end of my career.'
There was no wiggle room from a consummate county professional who was not known for big public pronouncements in the few press conferences he gave in an England career spent mainly on the periphery. Absolutely no doubt in his mind.
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So the sight of Dawson punching the air in delight when he took the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal with the seventh ball of his comeback at Old Trafford, almost exactly eight years since his last Test wicket, was an unlikely and hugely satisfying one for England.
Not since Dawson dismissed South Africa's Hashim Amla at Trent Bridge — with the help of a review — on the last of his three Test appearances, 2,928 days and 102 Tests ago, had he enjoyed the feeling of taking a wicket for England in the ultimate form of the game.
He was resigned, at 35, to never having that feeling again, had accepted that those three Tests and 20 white-ball appearances were the limit of his England involvement and was happy to concentrate on Hampshire and the franchise opportunities that came his way.
It was when Dawson turned down Rob Key's invitation to tour India at the start of 2024 after the best summer of his county life that a line appeared to be drawn.
Jack Leach, Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed and an unknown youngster from Somerset called Shoaib Bashir were all picked instead to carry the spin bowling load in the subcontinent and Dawson headed to the Big Bash in Australia, the South Africa T20 and the ILT20 in the UAE.
Not that Key, the managing director of England cricket, was offended by Dawson's reluctance to tour. He understood that a nearly man who had been chosen in the squad or as a travelling reserve in three World Cups, including the triumphant 2019 campaign on home soil, without playing a game had had enough of making up the numbers.
Dawson was convinced he would yet again be on the sidelines in India and had no regrets about his decision even when he saw fellow slow left-armer Hartley take seven wickets on debut in England's win in Hyderabad. It could easily have been him.
'It's not something I want to be doing, running drinks at my age anymore,' said Dawson at the end of that winter. 'I was really happy with what I chose.'
But things began to change when Brendon McCullum took over as England white-ball coach and lured Dawson out of international exile by including him in the three-match T20 series against West Indies this summer.
McCullum had seen Dawson surpass even his 2023 season in domestic cricket last year when he passed 50 wickets in the County Championship for the first time and, for good measure, scored 956 runs for Hampshire at an average of just under 60. He wanted him back in the set-up for a reasonably low-key series so he could have a closer look.
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McCullum liked what he saw and, having seen Dawson take four for 20 in the first match against West Indies in Durham, decided he would be the next spinner in line for a Test place ahead of the centrally-contracted Leach and Ahmed.
It took an injury to Bashir, who broke a finger during England's victory at Lord's, for Dawson's comeback to be complete, England making a pragmatic selection for the fourth Test that went against their Bazball instincts and gave hope to all county achievers.
'I've known Daws for a long time,' said England captain Ben Stokes before a match where England can wrap up this series against India with a game to play. 'I know the cricketer he is and what goes under the radar is his competitiveness. He has earned this call-up on the back of all his hard work at Hampshire and around the world in various leagues. He's a quality cricketer and a very, very competitive one.'
As Dawson showed when he finally got the red ball in his hand again. Stokes had kept him waiting until the 39th over for his first bowl against India in Test cricket since his debut at the end of 2016 in Chennai when the hosts rattled up 759 for seven and Dawson took two for 129.
Dawson quickly made up for lost time when he had Jaiswal playing for turn that was not there from a left-arm spinner who relies more on control and drift than sharp movement and edged to Harry Brook at slip. Cue that run of delight for Dawson closely followed by his team-mates.
Liam Dawson takes his FIRST Test wicket in eight years! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🙌 pic.twitter.com/mvZH9A8OMM
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 23, 2025
That control has largely been lacking from England's spinner since Stokes and McCullum decided Bashir had the qualities to succeed in Australia this winter and vowed to give him an extended run in the side despite his inexperience.
Dawson had it in his first spell of 7-0-21-1 and continued to probe away while Stokes was able to attack with his seamers, keeping his head when Shubman Gill twice tried to get after him and when Rishabh Pant hit him just wide of Stokes at mid-off.
He finished with figures of one for 45 from 15 overs as India moved to 264 for four, Pant being forced to retire hurt and head to hospital for a scan after suffering a nasty blow on the foot from Chris Woakes.
'I'd said to a few people that, the age I was at, I probably thought Test cricket had gone but to be back involved is really cool and I've got to enjoy each day I get,' said Dawson. 'Test cricket is completely different to domestic level so getting that wicket was a great release.
'I knew what to expect coming back a second time. I'm probably more consistent now and understand pitches a little more. I've bowled a lot of overs the last few years and I feel I'm a better bowler than I was. But it's one wicket. I've done nothing special. Tomorrow is a big day.'
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They may be tidy rather than outstanding figures but there is no doubt England look stronger with the all-round package of Dawson in their team ahead of the callow Bashir.
The question is whether he does enough in Manchester and in the final Test at the Oval to convince England to change their Ashes plans.
And if Bashir remains first choice in Australia, Dawson could face the dilemma of deciding whether he is prepared to travel as reserve to potentially carry the drinks again.
For now Dawson is back doing what he never thought he would be again. And that is cause for celebration for England and all those in county cricket who felt Bazball had passed them by.
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