Talking at Hampshire’s media day forward of the beginning of the County Championship season, Dawson stated that there had been “a couple of conversations” with the selectors over the winter however that, at the age of 34, he felt his worldwide profession was doubtless behind him.
Requested if he was nonetheless eager to play Check cricket, he instructed ESPNcricinfo: “In all probability not now, no. Being sincere, there’s a couple of issues which have occurred during the last yr. For me, most likely Check cricket now could be fully off the radar. However it’s what it’s, I am 34 and I want to get pleasure from my cricket and check out to win trophies in direction of the top of my profession.
“Realizing that going to South Africa, realizing I used to be going to play there – clearly with the [Sunrisers] coach, Adi Birrell, right here at Hampshire, I knew I used to be going to play, which was good. It isn’t one thing I want to be doing, running drinks at my age anymore. I used to be actually pleased with what I selected this winter and it went properly.”
“I believe with my age, 34, realistically that is most likely gone to be sincere. There’s been a couple of issues occurred over the previous few months. Talking to [England selector] Luke Wright, I do know the place I stand. I don’t anticipate to play. I am wanting ahead to taking part in for Hampshire this season, and the Hundred with London Spirit.”
With the rain teeming down at the Utilita Bowl every week earlier than the beginning of the county season, Dawson stated there have been no straightforward solutions.
“No doubt, it’s totally, very tough. I am fortunate sufficient that I bat as properly, in order that’s made an enormous distinction over my profession. I’ve at all times batted within the prime seven in order that balances groups out. When you’re simply an out-and-out spinner it isn’t straightforward to play in these circumstances, the time of the yr we play. There isn’t any best situation, what provides, what would not? When do you play Championship cricket? It is a robust factor to do. When you’re an out-an-out spinner it will probably be tough to get sport time with the climate, however I am undecided how one can change that.
“I did not watch an enormous quantity [of the Tests in India]. I used to be in South Africa, so I watched bits and items. They [Hartley and Bashir] did very properly. They’re good bowlers. I confronted Bashir final yr right here, I assumed he was a extremely good bowler, and the identical with Tom Hartley once we performed them in Southport, very constant. Hopefully they will proceed to do properly.”
Having spent a number of winters fulfilling twelfth man duties on tour with England, Dawson on this event leapt at the possibility to improve his T20 CV, taking part in for Melbourne Stars in Australia’s Huge Bash League, adopted by a full season at the SA20 – the place he helped Sunrisers to retain their title – after which two appearances within the knockout levels of the ILT20 with Gulf Giants, though on that event he was unable to add to what’s a powerful, and rising, assortment of silverware.
“It was a very nice winter, good to carry out,” he stated. “Good to get the chance as properly, to play for a couple of completely different groups. However it’s at all times good to come again to your private home county and prepare for a season.
“I am actually excited, I really like coming again right here. It is the identical for everybody at this time of yr. We have an enormous purpose as a staff, to attempt to win trophies right here. It is one thing we have executed through the years, we have competed in all codecs. It isn’t completely different, hopefully we will compete in all codecs and perhaps win a trophy.””
Alan Gardner is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick
