Liam Dawson was named the County Championship player of the year at the PCA awards on Monday night and, as a spin-bowling all-rounder entering his prime years, has made a strong case for the five-Test tour of India that begins in January.
But in something of a sign of the times, and despite 49 Division One wickets at 20 for Hampshire this year, it is not an invitation he is certain he would accept. Aged 33, and not contracted by England, Dawson is down to play for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa’s SA20 – a direct clash with the first two Tests.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. But if that [Test call-up] comes about I am going to have to think about it,” said Dawson, who won the last of his three Test caps in 2017. “The game is changing massively and everybody in the game understands that. Financially it is something at my age that I will have to consider – that will be a big decision.”
Dawson is among a group of players for whom domestic cricket is now very rewarding, his county contract augmented by winter deals on the global T20 circuit. This SA20 contract, for example, is believed to be in the region of £150,000-£200,000, greater than circa £100,000 from match and tour fees were he to play all five Tests in India.
A similar situation occurred this year with Dawson among a small group who turned down England’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh to play in the Pakistan Super League. Knowing the India tour next year could be a short-term Test return, he may again not wish to jeopardise his longer-term relationship with his South African franchise.
Speaking to the Guardian about the broader issue here the Test captain, Ben Stokes, said recently: “We need to roll with it. I’m under no illusions as to the opportunities out there for players, and that could mean less availability at certain points in series.
“I’m OK with that. There’s life after cricket and it could be that they have an opportunity that’s too hard to turn down. You’d rather have someone for less time than not at all. It’s 100% tough to sell to the public … but it’s the reality of where the sport is going.”
England’s management are similarly realistic about those on the fringes of selection but not on the books, with no grudges held. Dawson, in the 2019 World Cup squad, has agreed to be on standby for the defence of the title in India over the coming weeks.
In terms of England’s red-ball spinners for India, Jack Leach, previously first choice under Stokes, is targeting a return after his Ashes summer was wiped out by a lower back stress fracture and Moeen Ali was called out of retirement. The Lions are holding a training camp in the United Arab Emirates next month, with Leach pencilled in to attend.
Moeen’s return to white-ball specialism opens up a spot for a tour requiring additional spinners regardless, with Dawson likely to be discussed – albeit offering the same left-arm angle as Leach – along with Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed. In the case of Jacks, this would be a clash with his SA20 commitments at Pretoria Capitals.
English cricket’s response to the shifting landscape is to develop new multiyear central contracts, with a group of players currently mulling over terms for 2023-24 that range from one to three years. Some are said to like the long-term security these offer, while others could look to keep their options open by requesting shorter contracts.
