Liam Dawson’s recall for the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford this week represents a striking shift for England and a deserved nod to county output. The 35-year-old left-arm spinner steps in for Shoaib Bashir, sidelined by a broken finger sustained at Lord’s, and immediately broadens selection options in a side 2-1 up in the series. His return comes eight years after the last of his three caps.
Where England had invested long-term in Bashir – a 6ft 4in, 21-year-old off-spinner still struggling for regular Championship cricket – Dawson offers polish and versatility. He has logged 206 first-class appearances for Hampshire, scored 18 hundreds and become a high-energy presence in the field. His bowling has sharpened across the past two and a half seasons, returning 124 Championship wickets, so he arrives with a thick tactical playbook and will need far less hand-holding than Bashir. Slotting him at No 8 lets England pick the seam attack more aggressively, and the extra rough for left-armers this summer could amplify his threat.
Assistant coach Jeetan Patel says Dawson is “fizzing” at the opportunity and points to evidence from the early-summer white-ball series against West Indies: angles wide and tight, pace changes on demand, and a willingness to attack match situations. England’s approach prizes players who seize moments over raw economy; Dawson’s broad toolbox fits that brief and makes him a plug-and-play selection.
None of this diminishes belief in Bashir’s ceiling. Despite limited assistance and world-class opponents, he has already taken 68 wickets in 19 Tests and struck at pressure points – KL Rahul edged shortly after a century, Mohammed Siraj bowled to seal a 22-run win at Lord’s even as Bashir batted bravely with a fractured left hand. Coaches rave about his resilience and hunger to contribute.
Recovery will take at least six weeks after a wire splint procedure, though bowling workloads may resume earlier. A September County Championship return remains possible if opportunities arise; Somerset currently lean toward Jack Leach and all-rounder Archie Vaughan, and Bashir’s contract expires in October. Interest from elsewhere, plus an England central contract expected to be renewed, should ensure suitors.
For now the stage belongs to Dawson. Perform well in Manchester and he could complicate future pecking orders, including next winter’s Ashes planning. England under Brendon McCullum prefer to let such debates resolve themselves on the field; Dawson has earned the chance to enter that conversation.
