Speaking at Hampshire’s media day forward of the beginning of the County Championship season, Dawson mentioned that there had been “a few conversations” with the selectors over the winter however that, at the age of 34, he felt his worldwide profession was seemingly behind him.
Asked if he was nonetheless eager to play Test cricket, he instructed ESPNcricinfo: “Probably not now, no. Being honest, there’s a few things that have happened over the last year. For me, probably Test cricket now is completely off the radar. But it is what it is, I’m 34 and I want to enjoy my cricket and try to win trophies towards the end of my career.
“Knowing that going to South Africa, understanding 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’s not one thing I want to be doing, running drinks at my age anymore. I used to be actually proud of what I selected this winter and it went effectively.”
“I believe with my age, 34, realistically that is in all probability gone to be sincere. There’s been just a few issues occurred over the previous couple of months. Speaking to [England selector] Luke Wright, I do know the place I stand. I don’t anticipate to play. I’m 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 a week before the start of the county season, Dawson said there were no easy answers.
“Without doubt, it is very, very troublesome. I’m fortunate sufficient that I bat as effectively, in order that’s made an enormous distinction over my profession. I’ve all the time batted within the high seven in order that balances groups out. If you are simply an out-and-out spinner it isn’t simple to play in these situations, the time of the yr we play. There’s no ideally suited situation, what provides, what does not? When do you play Championship cricket? It’s a troublesome factor to do. If you are an out-an-out spinner it will probably be troublesome to get sport time with the climate, however I’m unsure how one can change that.
“I didn’t watch a huge amount [of the Tests in India]. I was in South Africa, so I watched bits and pieces. They [Hartley and Bashir] did very well. They’re good bowlers. I faced Bashir last year here, I thought he was a really good bowler, and the same with Tom Hartley when we played them in Southport, very consistent. Hopefully they can continue to do well.”
Having spent a number of winters fulfilling 12th man duties on tour with England, Dawson on this event leapt at the prospect to improve his T20 CV, taking part in for Melbourne Stars in Australia’s Big 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 really nice winter, nice to perform,” he mentioned. “Nice to get the opportunity as well, to play for a few different teams. But it’s always nice to come back to your home county and get ready for a season.
“I’m actually excited, I like coming again right here. It’s the identical for everybody at this time of yr. We’ve acquired an enormous objective as a staff, to try to win trophies right here. It’s one thing we have carried out through the years, we have competed in all codecs. It’s not completely different, hopefully we are able to compete in all codecs and possibly win a trophy.””
Alan Gardner is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick
