Green Dawson admits to frustration

Cricket365
July 24, 2017

England allrounder Liam Dawson has admitted that he has a lot to learn at Test level after enduring an indifferent start to the series against South Africa.

Dawson has claimed just five wickets and scored a pair at Lord’s before managing just 18 in England’s defeat at Trent Bridge.

South Africa’s left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has bagged 10 wickets for his team including four in England’s second innings at Lord’s and appears streets ahead of Dawson as a bowler.

Speaking after being selected in the thirteen man squad to face the Proteas in what will be the hundredth Test at the Oval, Dawson confessed the series has left him frustrated.

Dawson said: “At international level, I’m still learning a hell of a lot.

“It’s such a difference in standard compared to domestic cricket.”

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The Hampshire tweaker told BBC Radio: “From a personal point of view, (the past two Tests) have been hard work.

“I’m still learning a lot.

“I’ve found it tough and I haven’t performed how I know I can for Hampshire, which is frustrating.”

Dawson has been the focus of a lot of criticism with many questioning his continued selection in the Test XI.

The left-arm spinner is trying not to focus too much on the media scrutiny though adding: “I’ve always thought looking from the outside, that media (scrutiny) is a massive part of international cricket.

“They’re there to have their opinions. When you do well, everyone’s a hero and when you don’t do well, everyone’s the worst player. But that’s part of international sport and you just have to try to get on with it.”

England skipper Joe Root will have to choose between Dawson and handing a debut to Dawid Malan as an extra batsman after the Trent Bridge batting collapses.

The third Test will get underway at the Oval on Thursday 27 July.