LIAM DAWSON insisted he is not drawing any conclusions from usurping Adil Rashid as England’s frontline spinner in Pakistan.
For more than a decade, Rashid has been one of the first names on England’s team-sheet in the white-ball formats and he needs 26 more dismissals to become their all-time leading one-day wicket-taker.
After missing September’s series win over Sri Lanka because of an injury, Rashid has been overlooked for England’s last two tri-series defeats to Sri Lanka and Pakistan despite being fit and available. The explanation given is Dawson’s skiddy slow left-armers are more suited to the conditions in Rawalpindi and Lahore, with Rashid expensive in his only tournament outing against Pakistan last week.
In the leg-spinner’s absence, Dawson has impressed but a bowling unit light on experience has been exposed as England let nailed-on wins against Sri Lanka then Pakistan slip through their fingers.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports last week Rashid’s recent performances had “dropped off” although Dawson believes the double World Cup winner remains a stellar operator.
Asked about stepping into Rashid’s shoes, Dawson said: “I don’t think I can be compared to Adil, he’s a phenomenal bowler. You don’t play 165 ODIs and become a bad bowler.
“I don’t think you can compare us at all because we’re so different in our roles in the team. He’s a fantastic bowler, he’s been exceptional for England and I think he still will be.”
Without an express paceman or mystery spinner, England let Pakistan off the hook from 154-9 chasing 242 in Lahore on Sunday as Shadab Khan and No 11 Haris Rauf sealed an extraordinary win for the hosts.
The pair’s unbroken 89-run stand set a new record for the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful chase, just three days after England’s bowlers were unable to defend 429 against Sri Lanka.
While England’s bid to reach the tri-series final is hanging by the barest of threads, Dawson is optimistic the twin setbacks can be useful learning experiences for the World Cup in 12 months’ time in southern Africa.
“That changing room is gutted, we’re desperate to win,” the 36-year-old said. “If you look at the last two games, we’ve been in positions where we should have won, so that is a massive positive as a group.
“To lose those two games from a position we’re in is frustrating because we should have won. If in a year’s time we do get to those situations again and bank on our previous experiences then we’ll look back at this tri-series as a huge positive.”
After being a long-time fringe player for England, Dawson has established himself as a mainstay in the T20 side and is increasingly involved in the ODI set-up.
He added: “Up until a year or so ago, I said to numerous people I didn’t think I’d play for England again. I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve had so far and each time I get to play for England is really special. I didn’t think it would happen at the age that I got to so to play the amount I have in the last year and contribute has been really pleasing.”