'Seriously Strong Lower Order': Nasser Hussain Praises England's Latest Selection Call
Nasser Hussain suggests Liam Dawson at number eight could strengthen England's lower middle order for the fourth Test against India, replacing injured Shoaib Bashir.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes that placing left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Liam Dawson at number eight could create a formidable lower middle order for the hosts ahead of the fourth Test against India, starting in Manchester on July 23.
Dawson, 35, last played a Test for England in July 2017 and has been recalled to the side after Shoaib Bashir was ruled out of the remainder of the series due to an injury sustained while stopping a ball off his own bowling in the third Test at Lord's. England won that match by 22 runs, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
'You feel for Shoaib Bashir, but that's the nature of the game: an injury opens the door for someone else. And Dawson has the chance to show what a competitor he is, not just with the ball, but with his all-round game.
'If he goes in at No 8, that could be the start of a seriously strong lower order, possibly with Gus Atkinson, who has scored a Test century, at No 9, and Brydon Carse, who batted so well at Lord's, at No 10," wrote Hussain in his column for Daily Mail on Wednesday.
He also felt Dawson's selection is a significant indicator that England is moving away from left-arm spinner Jack Leach, who last played a Test match in 2024.
'It's clear, too, that England have moved on from Jack Leach, who has a good relationship with Ben Stokes but lacks Dawson's all-round qualities.
'And that could be important when England decide which spin bowlers to take to Australia this winter. You need steel to succeed out there, and Dawson has it in abundance," added Hussain.
Dawson has been a consistent performer for Hampshire in recent years of the county championship and was named PCA Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024. Hussain further believes Dawson's recall signifies that England might be moving away from making unconventional selections.
'It's also interesting that the selectors have gone from one extreme to the other – from picking Bashir based on watching social-media footage to selecting a bloke who already has international experience and has done the hard yards in county cricket.
'England seem to be moving away from the really left-field selections, such as Josh Hull for last year's Oval Test against Sri Lanka, and saying to the county game: if you score runs and take wickets, you've got a chance. Sam Cook got the nod for the Zimbabwe Test, now Dawson is in the mix again. It's a good pick and a fillip for domestic cricketers around the country," he concluded.
With IANS Inputs
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First Published:
July 16, 2025, 13:29 IST
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