Colombo : England all-rounder Liam Dawson is hoping to make his long-awaited World Cup debut at next month’s Twenty20 World Cup, more than a decade after first featuring in global tournament squads.
The 35-year-old has been part of England’s World Cup contingents on four occasions without playing a match, having been selected for the T20 World Cup in 2016 and the 50-over World Cup in 2019, while serving as a travelling reserve at the T20 editions in 2021 and 2022.
Dawson was last month named in England’s 15-man squad for this year’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Across all formats, the left-arm spinner has scored one half-century and taken 33 wickets in 33 internationals.
He has also impressed in the ongoing one-day international series against Sri Lanka in Colombo, emerging as England’s most economical bowler. Dawson conceded 31 and 40 runs from his 10 overs in the first two matches, with the series level at 1-1 ahead of Tuesday’s decider.
“Obviously, the older you get, sometimes you don’t expect to be involved,” Dawson told reporters on Monday. “I’m 35 now but it’s amazing to be back involved. And the World Cup is going to be a really cool occasion if I’m selected to play.”
England will play three Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka before beginning their World Cup campaign against Nepal in Mumbai on Feb. 8.
