Hampshire Cricket spinner Liam Dawson made his first One Day International appearance for since 2022, as England suffered a 19-run defeat in the three-match series opener in Colombo.
Dawson took one wicket for 31 runs in a ten over spell on his return at an impressive economy rate of just 3.1 runs per over, and proved a shining light with the ball in yet another hugely disappointing defeat for an England ODI side that lost 11 of their 15 ODIs in 2025.
The slow, left-arm orthodox spinner, who is also a capable right-handed batsman, featured for England’s ODI side for the first time since a 3-0 series defeat in Australia in November 2022.
Dawson’s economy rate of 3.1 was the best of the England bowlers, whilst Adil Rashid was the highest wicket taker with three wickets for 44 runs from his ten overs, as Sri Lanka, who opted to bat first after winning the toss, made 271-6 from their fifty overs, with Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 93 the highlight for the hosts.
England started positively in response, as Ben Duckett’s 62 and Joe Root’s 61 propelled the tourists to 129-1, however they then lost five wickets for just 36 runs, and eventually collapsed to 252 all out, despite a valiant late effort from Jamie Overton who made 34 off just 17 balls.
Dawson’s contribution with the bat lasted two balls, caught by Dhananjaya de Silva to the bowling of Pramod Madushan for two.
The 35-year-old played both test and T20 cricket for England in 2025, featuring most recently in the test series at home to India in July, and T20 series in New Zealand in October, but despite being involved in the ODI squads to face both South Africa and New Zealand, had been left unused in the 50 over format by Brendon McCullum.
Dawson made his ODI debut for England against Pakistan in September 2016, taking 5 wickets with the ball and making 63 runs with the bat across his previous six ODI caps prior to today.
After a tidy performance with the ball, Dawson will be hopeful of keeping his place in the side for the 2nd ODI on Saturday, as England look to bounce back and level the series at 1-1.
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