Manchester, July 24(HS): Liam Dawson, England’s spin bowler, marked his return to Test cricket after nearly eight years, showcasing his improved skills at the age of 35. After 2929 days away from the Test format, he claimed the wicket of India's Yashasvi Jaiswal with his seventh ball. Dawson stepped in for the injured Shoaib Bashir for the Manchester Test, where he finished the first day with figures of one wicket for 45 runs in 15 overs. Although he admitted to nerves after such a long hiatus, he felt his age brought maturity, aiding in managing his anxiety.

Dawson debuted against India in 2016, but his career stagnated, although he has excelled in domestic cricket, taking 215 first-class wickets for Hampshire. He commented on his greater understanding of pitch conditions and batting strategies from experience. Although he was modest about his performance, acknowledging just one wicket was “nothing special,” he expressed gratitude for his opportunity to play again, emphasizing enjoyment in the game moving forward.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar