Liam Dawson’s return to Test cricket came after what felt like an eternity away from the format. Nearly eight years had passed since his last Test appearance—2929 days to be exact—and in that time, Dawson had almost come to terms with the notion that a comeback to the international stage was nothing more than a distant dream.
Yet, defying those expectations, he found himself back on the field at Old Trafford, adding a new wicket to his tally, moving from seven to eight with remarkable ease. It took just seven deliveries for the 35-year-old Hampshire bowler to break his long wicket drought, delivering a ball that drifted beautifully away from left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal and induced a thin edge that was duly caught.
Dawson was called into England’s squad as a replacement following Shoaib Bashir’s finger injury at Lord’s, stepping up to fill the gap. On the opening day in Manchester, he bowled a steady spell of 15 overs, conceding 45 runs for one wicket.
Despite his composed performance, Dawson admitted to feeling the nerves of what he described as a ‘second debut’. “Yeah, of course I was nervous,” he said candidly. “Obviously, not having played for a number of years… but nerves are a good thing. The older you get, and the more you play, you sort of learn how to manage them better.”
Looking back, Dawson acknowledged that he is a much improved bowler now compared to when he first debuted in Chennai back in December 2016. His development during the years in between, particularly at Hampshire, has been significant.
Over 85 first-class matches, he has taken 215 wickets at an average of 27.72, with 12 of his 15 five-wicket hauls coming in this period. Last year, on the very same Old Trafford pitch, Dawson delivered a match-winning performance against Lancashire, taking 10 wickets for 99 runs and even scoring a century in the first innings—an achievement he confessed had slipped his mind until reminded.
Reflecting on the contrast between domestic and Test cricket, Dawson said, “It’s completely different. But I knew what to expect this time around, which definitely helped. Test cricket is tough—you have good days and bad days—but this time I had a better understanding of what was coming.”
When asked what changes had taken place in his bowling over the years, Dawson pointed to consistency and experience. “I’m probably a bit more consistent now. I understand pitches better, and I can read what batsmen are trying to do. The older you get, the more you learn to manage different game situations.” He emphasized the value of experience, noting that the sheer volume of overs he’s bowled in recent years has sharpened his skills. “You still get tough days, but overall I feel like a better bowler than I was a few years ago.”
Despite the excitement of his unexpected comeback, Dawson remained modest about his first day back. “It’s just one wicket,” he insisted. “I haven’t done anything special, but it’s great to be involved again and contribute early. Honestly, I thought I was past Test cricket because of age and time away, but being back is really cool. I just want to enjoy every day I get at this level.”
Looking ahead, he acknowledged the challenge still to come. “There’s another big day tomorrow, and I hope to get a few more wickets for the team.” His focus now is clear: to make the most of this second chance on the international stage.
