By Karim Hammam
England spinner Liam Dawson has rejected comparisons to veteran teammate Adil Rashid following his recent inclusion in the white-ball squad during the tri-series in Pakistan. Dawson, who has featured as a frontline spinner in England's last two matches, emphasized the different roles the two players occupy within the team.
Different roles in the squad
Speaking to the Press Association, Dawson described Rashid as a phenomenal and exceptional bowler, noting that his extensive experience of 165 One Day Internationals makes him a stellar operator. He insisted that a direct comparison is impossible due to the distinct styles and roles they provide to the England bowling unit.
Rashid, who requires 26 more dismissals to become England’s all-time leading one-day wicket-taker, was overlooked for the recent matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The decision was attributed to Dawson's skiddy left-arm spin being better suited to the conditions in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Learning from recent defeats
Despite Dawson's impressive individual performances, England's bowling unit faced challenges as they suffered defeats to both Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In Lahore, England failed to defend a target against Pakistan, allowing a significant tenth-wicket partnership to secure a win for the hosts.
The 36-year-old Dawson remained optimistic, viewing the recent setbacks as vital learning experiences ahead of the World Cup in South Africa next year. He noted that while the team is frustrated by losing games they should have won, the ability to reach those positions remains a positive sign for the group.
Future ambitions and retirement
Having recently retired from first-class cricket, Dawson clarified that his days in the Test arena are over, despite the potential interest of new Test head coach Stephen Fleming. However, he expressed great satisfaction with his recent resurgence in the T20 and ODI formats, stating that every opportunity to represent England remains special.
