Could Dawson at No.8 Create a Strong Lower Order for England?

New Delhi, July 16 (NationPress) Former England captain Nasser Hussain opines that the inclusion of left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Dawson at the eighth position could significantly strengthen the lower middle order for the home team ahead of the fourth Test against India, scheduled to commence in Manchester on July 23.

Dawson, aged 35, last donned the England Test jersey in July 2017 and is making a comeback after Shoaib Bashir was sidelined for the rest of the series due to a left-hand injury sustained while trying to stop a ball off his own bowling during the third Test at Lord’s. England emerged victorious in that match by 22 runs, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

“While you feel for Shoaib Bashir, injuries are part of the sport: they create opportunities for others. Dawson now has the platform to demonstrate his competitive spirit, not only with the ball but also through his all-round abilities.

“If he bats at No 8, this could mark the beginning of a robust lower order, potentially featuring Gus Atkinson, who has a Test century to his name, at No 9, and Brydon Carse, who performed admirably at Lord’s, at No 10,” Hussain highlighted in his column for the Daily Mail on Wednesday.

Furthermore, he perceives Dawson’s selection as a significant signal that England is fully transitioning away from left-arm spinner Jack Leach, who last played a Test in 2024.

“It’s evident that England have moved past Jack Leach, who shares a solid rapport with Ben Stokes but does not possess Dawson’s all-round capabilities.

“This could be crucial when deciding which spin bowlers to take to Australia this winter. Success in Australia requires resilience, and Dawson has that in spades,” Hussain added.

Dawson’s consistency for Hampshire in recent County Championship seasons has earned him recognition, including the PCA Player of the Year award in 2023 and 2024. Hussain believes that Dawson’s recall signifies England’s shift away from unconventional selections.

“It’s intriguing to note that selectors have transitioned from selecting Bashir based on social media clips to choosing a player with international experience who has proven his mettle in county cricket.

“England seems to be stepping away from unconventional picks, such as Josh Hull for last year’s Oval Test against Sri Lanka, and signaling to the county circuit: if you perform, you’ll get a chance. Sam Cook secured selection for the Zimbabwe Test, and now Dawson finds himself back in the fray. This selection is promising and serves as encouragement for domestic cricketers across the nation,” he concluded.