Honestly, I Thought He Was Done With Tests
Alright, so this morning I’m just minding my own business, sipping lukewarm tea, scrolling through the squad list for the next England-India Test. Same old, right?
Then I see it.
Wait. That Liam Dawson?
For a second, I thought I was looking at an old list or something. But no — he’s back. Test squad. 2025. Against India. At Old Trafford. After eight long years of just… well, being around but not really in the mix.
And you know what? I kind of love this.
From Forgotten to First XI (Maybe)
His last Test? Was in 2017. Let that sink in.
Since then? He’s been doing the hard yards in county cricket. No spotlight. No hype. Just quietly taking wickets, scoring runs, being useful. The guy’s been grinding. And now, somehow, some way — he’s back, not as a backup, not as a last-minute emergency, but as an actual, serious option.
And sure, it’s because Shoaib Bashir is injured, but still — this wasn’t a “well, who else is left?” pick. It’s smart. Left-arm spin. Control. Batting depth. Makes sense, right?
He’s Not Flashy — And That’s Kind of the Point
Dawson’s not the guy who gives you goosebumps. He’s the guy who keeps things tight, bats responsibly, fields sharply, and doesn’t say much. Steady. Like a brick wall in the background — you forget it’s there, but man, you need it when the rain hits.
In a team full of Bazball energy and chaos, he might be the calm in the storm—someone who just gets on with it.
This Pick Tells You a Lot About the Current Team
Look, England’s in a weird spot. They’re leading the series 2-1, but it’s been anything but smooth. Injuries, pressure, wild innings… It’s been chaos. So what do they do? They go with a guy like Dawson. A player who’s seen things. Played in all formats. Been dropped. Been ignored. Kept showing up.
It says they don’t just want fire — they want balance.
34 and Finally Getting a Moment Again
Most players don’t get a second chance, especially not after eight years out of Test cricket. You slip through the cracks, fade into the county system, and that’s usually it. Not this guy. He stuck around. Didn’t tweet shade. Didn’t do interviews, whining about selection.
He just bowled. And batted. And waited.
And now — boom — he’s back.
Old Trafford Is Tricky — But Dawson Might Fit Right In
Old Trafford’s pitch can be a bit of a mystery. Sometimes it turns square, sometimes it does nothing. But one thing’s for sure: having a spinner who can bowl long spells and keep it tight? That’s gold.
And Dawson can do that. Plus, he bats. So he’s not just a filler. He’s insurance.
He might not be a match-winner. But he won’t lose you the match either.
There’s Something Kind of Poetic About It
Think about it — the dude probably thought he’d never wear the England whites again. He probably moved on, settled into the county rhythm, started mentoring younger players, quietly proud but maybe a little disappointed, too.
And then… the phone rings.
That kind of full-circle moment? It hits different.
No One Saw It Coming — But It Feels Right
This isn’t one of those selection calls people rage about. Even the die-hard fans are like, “Yeah, fair enough.” Because when you look at the numbers, the form, the experience — it checks out.
Sometimes, cricket surprises you in a good way.
And honestly? I hope he plays. I hope he gets a few wickets. Maybe a gritty 30 with the bat. Nothing wild. Just a solid, honest contribution.
Because those stories matter too.
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