Most cricketers fail to return to Test cricket after being out of the format for over 2 years. However, Liam Dawson seems to be redefining what it means to make a comeback after he made England’s 4th Test squad against India in the ongoing 2025 Test series.
The talented 35-year-old is set to replace injured Shoaib Bashir for the series remainder after. Dawson played his last Test match for England before this call-up in July 2017 against South Africa. He has been out of the national team Test lineup since then, and only secured few appearances in other formats for England.
Liam Dawson Bio
| Attribute | Detail |
| Full Name | Liam Andrew Dawson |
| Date of Birth | 1 March 1990 |
| Birthplace | Swindon, Wiltshire, England |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Batting Style | Right‑handed |
| Bowling Style | Slow left‑arm orthodox |
| Playing Role | All‑rounder |
| Domestic Teams | Hampshire (2007–present), Essex (loan, 2015), Mountaineers (2011–12) Various T20 franchises: Peshawar Zalmi, Comilla Victorians, Southern Brave, London Spirit, Lahore Qalandars, Melbourne Stars, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Gulf Giants |
| Test Debut | vs India, 16 December 2016 (Chennai) |
| Last Test (before 2025) | vs South Africa, 14 July 2017 (Lord’s) |
| ODI Debut | vs Pakistan, 4 September 2016 (Abu Dhabi) |
| Last ODI | vs Australia, 22 November 2022 (Perth) |
| T20I Debut | vs Sri Lanka, 5 July 2016 (Colombo) |
| Last T20I | vs West Indies, 10 June 2025 (Kingstown) |
Why Did Liam Dawson Not Play in Tests for 8 Years?
Dawson gave priority to limited-overs cricket after falling out of the Test pecking order in 2017. His unavailability for selection into English Test cricket squads fuelled his long absence from the sport’s longest format.
Ben Stokes Speaks on Bashir Injury, ECB Selector Speaks on Dawson Call-Up
Veteran English cricketer Ben Stokes hailed Bashir’s commitment to England’s Test series vs India while highlighting the severity of his injury:
“It’s not good news for Bash,” Stokes said during a recent interview. “The courage that he showed to go and bat for us and being willing to sit there at the end and wait for his moment to bowl – it just proves how much it means to everyone who gets the opportunity to put the shirt on. Not even a couple of breaks will stop them going out there. What an amazing feeling for him to be able to take that wicket, with his hand in the state that it’s in.”
Bashir will play no further part in England’s challenge against India after suffering an injury to his left finger. His surgery was successful and Bashir could be back in time for England’s Test matches later in the year.
Dawson deserves call-up – ECB selector suggests
Luke Wright is an England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) selector and believes Liam deserves his recent call-up
“He deserves his call-up,” said selector Wright. “He has been in outstanding form in the County Championship and consistently puts in strong performances for Hampshire.”
England May Rotate Seam for Manchester Test, Jofra Archer Calls for More Game Time
The ECB selection committee are mulling over decisions after injuries plagued their seam attack at Lord’s. Some insider reports suggest that the governing body’s selectors may rotate seam bowlers in the final two Tests. However, English pacer Jofra Archer believes he can deliver more to the national team in their remaining Test games at home vs India:
“I can play the other two if they let me,” said Archer. “I don’t want to lose this series. I told Key-sey [Rob Key, England’s men managing director] I wanted to play the Test summer and I wanted to play the Ashes. And I think one tick is already there and I will do everything possible in my power to be on the plane in November,” he said.
10 Interesting Facts About Liam Dawson
- Dawson took great figures (6/9) for England Under‑19s against Malaysia as a 16-year-old. His potential as a match-winning spin bowler became easy to notice after this performance nearly two decades ago.
- Liam dismissed veteran cricketer Kevin Pietersen on two occasions for golden ducks in back-to-back meetings in 2011.
- Dawson was part of England’s 2019 World Cup–winning squad, but he didn’t play a match before earning a winners’ medal.
- Liam has been explosive in English domestic cricket for years. His heroic performances include a double-century and 10 wickets on two occasions (vs Middlesex (141 & 12 wickets) in June 2023 and vs Lancashire (104* & 10/99) in August 2024.
- Dawson received recognition for his remarkable domestic performances in 2023 and 2024. He made the Professional Cricketers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year list in both 2023 and 2024.
