Hampshire Cricket spinner Liam Dawson is set to make his first One Day International appearance for England since 2022, after being named in England’s XI for tomorrow’s series opener against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
The slow, left-arm orthodox spinner, who is also a capable right-handed batsman, hasn’t featured for England’s ODI side since a 3-0 series defeat in Australia in November 2022.
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, has 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 six ODI caps.
Dawson’s recall is one of three changes made to England’s most recent ODI lineup in New Zealand, where they suffered a 3-0 series defeat.
Test opener Zak Crawley replaces Jamie Smith at the top of the order, whilst seamers Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer, who misses the series with injury, drop out for Dawson and fellow spinner Will Jacks, in the spin-friendly Sri Lankan conditions.
The ODI series with Sri Lanka is an important one for England. England have won just eight of their 26 ODIs since their group stage defeat at the 2023 World Cup, and 11 defeats in 15 games in the format in 2025 have seen the 2019 World Champions drop to seventh in the world rankings, knowing only the top eight (excluding South Africa and Zimbabwe) are guaranteed automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
Tomorrow’s fixture is the first of three ODIs against Sri Lanka this month, before a three match T20 series ahead of the T20 World Cup beginning in February, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.
Dawson is also a part of the squad for the T20 series against Sri Lanka, where he will look to impress in order to maintain his spot in the provisional squad for the T20 World Cup, where England will kick off their campaign against Nepal on the 8th of February, having recently been semi finalists in 2024, and winners in 2022.
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