Liam Dawson insists he is not considering taking up the challenge of becoming England’s regular Test spinner as he focuses on his first T20 World Cup at the age of 35.
England took Shoaib Bashir to the Ashes as their main spinner, but the 22-year-old was left out of all five Tests as all-rounder Will Jacks was chosen to provide a spin option.
The door therefore appears to be wide open for English spinners to stake a claim. Dawson has played four Tests, ranging from his debut in 2016 to the fourth Test against India last summer.
He was overlooked on the trip Down Under but is a key part of the England white-ball team and has impressed in the first two ODIs in Sri Lanka – with the score at 1-1 heading into Tuesday’s decider.
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(Robbie Stephenson/PA)
Focus
However, the Hampshire left-armer is not allowing himself to think about a Test future.
“It’s not something I’ve thought about too much. Obviously the World Cup has to focus on domestic cricket in England first, see how that goes and then see where we end up,” Dawson said.
“I really enjoyed that test. It was fun to play it again.”
“(The Ashes was) not something I thought about too much. I played that one Test match and sometimes you can’t control the selection, but it’s something I didn’t really think about.”
(Eranga Jayawardena/AP)
Amazing
The Hampshire left-back was selected for the 2016 T20 World Cup squad but never played and was twice a traveling reserve.
He will play a key role in England’s spin attack at next month’s tournament, starting against Nepal in Mumbai on February 9.
“Obviously, the older you get, sometimes you don’t expect to get involved,” Dawson added.
“I’m 35 but it was great to be involved again. Obviously the World Cup is going to be a really cool occasion if it is chosen to play and I’m really looking forward to that.”
“It’s exciting to go to a World Cup and play there. Hopefully we can win tomorrow and build some confidence.”
(Eranga Jayawardena/AP)
Difficult
England won their first away ODI under Brendon McCullum – ending an 11-match losing streak during their travels – with a win in the second ODI on Saturday.
Captain Harry Brook deployed six spinners as England found a successful formula on a tough wicket.
Dawson admits it is difficult to stake a claim as an English spinner because competition from over-50s is marginalized in the summer due to the Hundred, while conditions can often be more favorable for bowling.
“I really enjoy 50-over cricket. I was lucky enough to play a lot of it when I was younger,” he added.
(Martin Rickett/PA)
Enjoy
“At the age I grew up, we grew up playing over-50s cricket. We managed to play a lot of that. It’s a format I really enjoy.
“It’s probably a lot weaker than it used to be, that competition.
“I think you grew up in England to sometimes be the back-up to the seamers in seam-friendly conditions. But you still have work to do in that.
(Adam Davy/PA)
Doom and gloom
“You try to make ends meet sometimes. It’s not all doom and gloom in England bowling. You do get some good venues.”
Jofra Archer and the rest of England’s T20 World Cup squad have joined the group in Sri Lanka.
The fast bowler will not feature in the T20 series against Sri Lanka, starting in Kandy on Friday, after missing the last two Ashes Tests with a side strain.
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