IND vs ENG 4th Test: England are all set to give spinner Liam Dawson his fourth Test cap against India during the fourth Test match in Manchester.
As per the Daily Mail, Dawson would be replacing the injured Shoaib Bashir, who had sustained a fracture on his left hand during the third Test match at Lord’s and has been ruled out of the ongoing series. Dawson would be making a comeback to this format after eight years.
He last played in the longest format way back in 2017 against South Africa, and since then, he was snubbed, and he thus played in domestic tournaments and became one of the top spinners of the country. The selectors did want to include him during the 2024 Test series against India, but he was snubbed as he wanted to play in all matches, and he thus continued to represent Hampshire.
Although he did represent England during the last few T20Is, in an interaction with ESPNCricinfo, he reckoned that his Test career is over and he won’t be returning to the side.
“Probably not now, no. Being honest, there are a few things that have happened over the last year. For me, probably Test cricket is now completely off the radar. But it is what it is, I’m 34 and I want to enjoy my cricket and try to win trophies towards the end of my career,” Dawson was quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo.
His inclusion would be one of the two changes that the hosts would be making in their playing XI, along with Gus Atkinson, who might replace one of the fast bowlers.
How Dawson changed his career trajectory
Dawson has taken 148 wickets in first-class cricket at a brilliant average of 26.1 over the last few years. Earlier, he used to bowl at an average of more than 30. He made some changes in his wrist position and his mindset under the guidance of Hampshire coach Graeme Welch.
“When Pop Welch came to Hampshire, Daws had his way of bowling. He was always our frontline spinner, but he probably didn’t get the wickets he wanted. He’s got a wicket-taking mentality now. He gives a little bit more flight on the ball, which helps in that regard. When I arrived six years ago, I think he saw his job as trying to keep the run-rate down. Whereas now, he’s disappointed if he doesn’t bowl as well or take as many wickets as he would like,” Keith Barker, who is Dawson’s teammate, was quoted as saying to the Daily Mail.
The Ben Stokes-led side is currently leading the five-match Test series by 2-1.