Life has a funny way of turning full circle.
Just over a year ago, Liam Dawson all but closed the chapter on his international Test career, admitting he was “probably done” with England.
Fast forward 14 months, and Dawson is set to earn his fourth Test cap — this time against India — stepping in due to an unfortunate injury to Shoaib Bashir.
At 35, and with an eight-year gap since his last Test appearance, Dawson’s comeback is less about luck and more about form, grit, and a fresh approach to his craft.
From Drinks Carrier to MVP: Dawson’s Domestic Rise
When Dawson spoke candidly last year about focusing on county success with Hampshire rather than lingering on the England sidelines, few imagined he’d be back.
He was tired of being the “oldest drinks waiter” in international cricket and instead focused on helping his county win silverware.
That decision paid off. In 2023, he took 49 wickets in the County Championship.
In 2024, he bettered that with 53 — and earned the title of domestic cricket’s most valuable player two years in a row.
He also impressed with the bat, averaging 60, and was voted Professional Cricketers’ Association Player of the Year last October.
What Changed? A New Grip, a New Mindset
So, what sparked this late-career transformation? According to those close to Dawson, it was a combination of technical tweaks and mental reset. A big influence has been Graeme Welch, who joined Hampshire as bowling coach in 2022.
Since then, Dawson has claimed 148 wickets in first-class cricket at a much improved average of 26.1.
Before that, his bowling average hovered around 35. The key technical change?
A subtle but important adjustment to his wrist position, allowing for more spin and variation.
And he’s no longer just keeping runs down — he’s now hunting wickets with intent.
From Holding Role to Attack Leader
Teammates have noticed the shift. Keith Barker, Dawson’s long-time Hampshire colleague, said: “He’s always been our main spinner, but now he’s got a proper wicket-taking mindset.
He flights the ball more and expects to make breakthroughs.”
Back when Dawson joined Hampshire, his role was mainly to hold one end up.
Now, he’s disappointed if he doesn’t run through a batting lineup.
A Strong Summer Performance That Caught Eyes
Dawson’s form hasn’t been limited to red-ball cricket.
He made a strong impression during the Twenty20 series against the West Indies earlier this summer, where his ability to deceive batsmen in flight stood out once again.
His comeback is also timely. While England see 20-year-old Shoaib Bashir as their long-term spinner, his broken finger opened a door for Dawson — even if it’s just a short-term opportunity.
Could He Earn a Ticket to Australia?
Realistically, Dawson may not be part of England’s Ashes plans as a frontline option, but with Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum favouring a specialist spinner in their Test XIs, he’s likely to feature in the remaining matches against India — starting with the Test in Manchester, then The Oval.
His experience and form make him a strong candidate for a reserve role in the squad that heads Down Under this winter.
A Toss-Up Between Dawson and Bethell, But One Has the Edge
There was some speculation that England might lean toward Jacob Bethell’s left-arm spin to lengthen the batting lineup, but that’s unlikely.
McCullum has been clear that Bethell is in the squad primarily as a top-order batter.
And frankly, Bethell hasn’t had much game time lately.
Since his explosive 36 not out against the West Indies on June 10, he’s played just one red-ball game and a handful of T20s.
That lack of rhythm may count against him.
Tensions Bubble During Heated Series Against India
Dawson steps into a series that’s starting to heat up — not just in performance, but in emotions too.
England lead 2-1 following a fiery Test at Lord’s, where tempers flared after India targeted Zak Crawley with verbal jabs and aggressive finger-pointing on Day 3.
Ben Duckett jumped in to defend his teammate, and the English dressing room agreed not to tolerate individual targeting going forward.
That led to some fire being returned, including Jofra Archer’s animated send-off to Rishabh Pant after bowling him clean.
England’s Pack Mentality Is Stronger Than Ever
Despite the on-field tensions, things have remained civil off the pitch.
But make no mistake — England are standing together.
This “pack mentality” was evident in the final innings at Lord’s, and Dawson will now become part of that collective push as the series continues.
His return may be unexpected, but with his current form and experience, Dawson could prove to be a key asset as England look to seal the series.
