Understated Dawson shows England magic they’ve been missing

either short or tall. Left or right-arm. Dan Mousley’s darts, off-spin, or leg-spin.

Between Liam Dawson’s 20th and 21st international caps, there were 11 men who bowled in spin for England.

Since Dawson’s last Test, Seam bowler Ollie Robinson has even slammed his arm against him with some offies in Adelaide’s miserable defeat.

However, Dawson gave an indication of what England had been lacking by taking the hosts’ 21-run victory over West Indies 4-20.

The 35-year-old told BBC Test Match Special, “I haven’t played international cricket in three and a half years.”

Even that sentence provides some information.

Dawson would be forgiven for thinking that his most recent appearance in the United Kingdom had been longer, even though it had been two years and six months since then.

When an England squad was named or lost a test, Dawson’s absence was a contentious subject.

County fans were initially offended by the fact that the leading English spinner in the County Championship in 2023 and 2024 were frequently overlooked, giving the county a culture-war status.

After excluding him from a Test squad, England’s managing director Rob Key famously declared that Dawson was not “a person who wants to travel around India as the 15th or 16th man.”

Dawson had since agreed that England would never make another call.

When questioned about whether he anticipated this global revival, he responded, “Probably not,” on Friday.

“For a while, I didn’t anticipate playing.”

Who I am playing for wants me to go out and enjoy my cricket. I’m very proud and pleased to return and do well.

Dawson has demonstrated his reliability when he is not playing international cricket, from Lord’s to Lahore, Dubai to Durban. He has won numerous franchise awards in the past, and he was named April’s Wisden Cricketer of the Year.

England finally realized that dependable was no longer a criticism but a strength as a new era under captain Harry Brook, who was in need of victories to stop an 18-month slide.

“I have played a lot of Daws,” said Brook. I had a few games with him in England.

“He’s a really good bowler,” he said. He also has a good body, which is advantageous.

Although it is significant that the Yorkshireman’s first T20 series came back, Brook’s decision to recall Dawson was significant.

Dawson, on the other hand, acknowledges that he doesn’t try to “flash” anything.

Dawson is a throwback, the old-fashioned magician who can deceive you with two hands and a pack of cards without the need for saws, fire, or flashing lights, while Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir have their high release points and Rehan Ahmed have their googly.

With that understated trick routine, he outwitted West Indies in Chester-le-Street.

Dawson scored in his second over after giving up only four runs in the opening.

He found the match’s sharpest turn by dropping 10 mph from his previous delivery with an extra loop. Johnson Charles hurriedly and unprepared before stranding him.

After two opening overs that only cost seven, Dawson rested and West Indies rebuilt.

The dangerous Sherfane Rutherford hit the left-hander as the left-hander hit long-on, and Dawson made a comeback.

Two balls later, Dawson’s next scalp had another pace drop and, crucially, a wider line, if that one was given credit.

Roston Chase made England once more a major favorite after giving Ben Duckett another catch from the deep.

Dawson was not hit the rope until his fourth over as boundaries drew nearer to him (young men Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, and Matthew Potts were some of the punished).

Rovman Powell, a dangerous player, struck him four times before changing his ball once more.

Dawson had his best T20 international performances, Powell was bowled, and he moved quicker and flatter.

A left-arm spinner for England’s format, his 4-20, also, was their best. Key could not have asked for more.

The T20 World Cup that will take place next year serves as the backdrop for England’s victory. Before traveling to India and Sri Lanka, where spin is expected to be crucial, they have only 12 matches in this format.

When asked if he had any intention of making that World Cup squad, Dawson replied, “That’s not even come into my mind.”

“I’m just happy to be back playing this,” he said, “play one game at a time and enjoy every second.”

When England won the 50-over World Cup in 2019, Dawson didn’t play for the team.