Liam Dawson has revealed that the England cricket squad are “gutted” after two agonising defeats to Sri Lanka and last weekend to Pakistan have left their chances of making the ODI tri-series final hanging by a thread. To reach the final, England now need Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday before thrashing Sri Lanka on Thursday but Dawson is optimistic the twin setbacks can be useful learning experiences though for the World Cup in 12 months’ time in southern Africa. To lose those two games from a position we’re in is frustrating because we should have won those games.
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. The 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. 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 for nine 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.
After being a fringe England player for much of his career, Dawson has established himself as a mainstay in the T20 side under Harry Brook 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.
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 and hopefully that can continue.” Dawson retired from first-class cricket earlier this year and when asked if he would consider reversing the decision if approached by new Test head coach Stephen Fleming, he replied: “No, those days are gone.”
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