Liam Dawson kept calm ahead of shock World Cup call up

May 25 (CRICKETNMORE) - The day of a World Cup squad announcement is stressful at the best of times but Liam Dawson insists he was the calmest guy in the room. The 29-year-old edged out Joe Denly in a straight shoot-out to complete England’s 15-man squad, despite not featuring in the warm-up series against Pakistan.

Instead he was playing for Hampshire against Nottinghamshire on the Isle of Wight, where he was dismissed for just 25 before answering selector Ed Smith’s call.

The Hampshire ace has not played for England since leaving their tour of Sri Lanka with a side injury last year but says he never lost faith.

“When you get injured in sport, it opens a chance for someone to take your place and Joe came in and did a good job but it was not something I worried about,” the left-armer said.

“I thought if international cricket was to come again, it would be brilliant. Thankfully it has and I am excited about it.

“It was a position I was not worried about. I was playing for Hampshire and had just got out so I was a bit frustrated, I then calmed down and checked my phone and saw I had a missed call from Ed.

“I gathered it must be good news so that cheered me up.”

Dawson has a tough task on his hands if he is to edge his way in to England’s starting side. The off-spinner has Adil Rashid – the top ODI wicket-taker since the 2015 World Cup – ahead of him, as well as all-rounder Moeen Ali.

But if England are to go on and win their first ever ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup then everyone will need to contribute and Dawson believes they are ready to deliver on their potential.

“The more cricket you play, the more comfortable you get and the more confident you are. In this team, we are all really comfortable with each other and that is a crucial part of our success,” he added.

“We are not thinking about being the favourites. As long as we put the work in and perform to our best, then it will work itself out.

“It has always been very relaxed, the lads have largely grown up with each other so we enjoy each other’s success.

“The older you get the wiser you get and the more you learn about the game. I have learned a lot at Hampshire and I feel in a good place, hopefully I carry that form in here.”

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ICC