Who is Liam Dawson? England spinner makes Test comeback after 8 years vs India

England have named their playing XI for the Manchester Test against India, starting July 23, with experienced all-rounder Liam Dawson making a return to the Test side after an eight-year absence. The 35-year-old replaces Shoaib Bashir, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the series after fracturing his left hand during England's thrilling win at Lord's. The off-spinner injured the index finger of his left hand and had to undergo surgery post-match. Dawson was called in as his replacement and now finds himself back in England whites as the hosts lead the five-match series 2-1.

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Who is Liam Dawson?

Dawson made his Test debut in 2016 - coincidentally against India in Chennai - in a match best remembered for Karun Nair's unbeaten 303. Despite the spotlight being elsewhere, Dawson impressed with a solid performance, scoring 66 runs in the first innings and claiming two wickets. His last Test appearance came in 2017 against South Africa at Nottingham.

Since then, he may have fallen off the Test radar, but Dawson has been a pillar of consistency in domestic cricket for Hampshire. The slow left-arm orthodox bowler has played 212 first-class matches, scoring 10,731 runs and taking 371 wickets - a testament to his all-round capabilities.

In the ongoing 2025 County Championship Division One season, Dawson has once again stood out. From nine matches, he has amassed 536 runs at an average of 44.66, making him Hampshire's top run-scorer this season. With the ball, he has also contributed 21 wickets - further underlining his value as a dependable all-rounder.

As England prepare for the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Dawson comes in as a like-for-like replacement for Bashir - albeit with a twist. While Bashir offered a more conventional spin option, Dawson brings additional depth with the bat. A reliable lower-order batter who can bowl with control, Dawson's inclusion hints at England's desire to bolster their batting, especially with Brydon Carse now slotted in at No.10.

Interestingly, Dawson's first-class batting record surpasses that of any player in India's current Test squad. The closest challenger is Karun Nair, with 8,601 runs - still more than 2,000 short of Dawson's tally. At 35, Dawson's return is not just a stop-gap solution but a deserved reward for years of consistent excellence in domestic cricket.

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Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: Jul 22, 2025

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