Liam Dawson has disclosed that the England cricket squad are deeply disappointed following two successive defeats to Sri Lanka that have left their path to the ODI tri-series final in serious jeopardy. According to The Guardian, the team's frontline spinner expressed the frustration felt throughout the dressing room after the setbacks in Pakistan.
"That changing room is gutted, we're desperate to win,"Dawson said of the squad's emotional response to the losses.
For England to reach the final, Pakistan must defeat Sri Lanka on 27 October before England themselves overcome Sri Lanka on 29 October. Despite the bleak arithmetic, Dawson maintains an optimistic outlook, viewing the twin defeats as instructive moments ahead of the World Cup scheduled for southern Africa in 12 months' time.
"If you look at the last two games, we've been in positions where we should have won, so that is a massive positive as a group. To lose those two games from a position we're in is frustrating because we should have won those games. If in a year's time we do get to those situations again and bank on our previous experiences then we'll look back at this tri-series as a huge positive."
England's collapse against Pakistan proved particularly costly. According to BBC Sport, England made 241 all out in 46.4 overs, but Pakistan reached 243 for nine in 47.1 overs, securing victory by one wicket. The hosts' remarkable comeback was built on an unbroken 89-run partnership between Shadab Khan and number 11 Haris Rauf for the final wicket, which set a new record for the highest 10th-wicket stand in a successful chase.
The defeat came just three days after England's bowlers failed to defend 429 against Sri Lanka. According to ESPN, England's 429 for four represented the highest total ever made by a team batting second in an ODI, yet Sri Lanka chased it down with one ball remaining, compounding England's frustration.
Why has Adil Rashid been overlooked?
The 36-year-old Dawson has insisted he is not drawing conclusions from his selection ahead of Adil Rashid, who has been one of England's most reliable white-ball performers for over a decade. Rashid requires 26 more dismissals to become England's all-time leading one-day wicket-taker, yet he has been overlooked for the last two tri-series defeats despite being fit and available.
After missing September's series victory over Sri Lanka due to injury, Rashid was absent from the squad for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka matches. The stated rationale is that Dawson's skiddy slow left-arm bowling is better suited to conditions in Rawalpindi and Lahore, with Rashid proving expensive in his sole tournament appearance against Pakistan last week.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain suggested on Sky Sports that Rashid's recent form had deteriorated, though Dawson firmly rejected any suggestion that he represents an upgrade on the leg-spinner.
"I don't think I can be compared to Adil, he's a phenomenal bowler. You don't play 165 ODIs and become a bad bowler. I don't think you can compare us at all because we're so different in our roles in the team. He's a fantastic bowler, he's been exceptional for England and I think he still will be."
How has Dawson's England career developed?
After spending much of his career on the periphery of the international setup, Dawson has recently established himself as a mainstay in the T20 side under captain Harry Brook and is increasingly involved in the ODI structure. He reflected on his unexpected late-career resurgence with gratitude.
"Up until a year or so ago, I said to numerous people I didn't think I'd play for England again. I've really enjoyed the time I've had so far. You're desperate to do well, but each time I get to play for England is a really special thing. I didn't think it would happen at the age that I got to so to play the amount I have in the last year and contribute has been really pleasing and hopefully that can continue."
Dawson retired from first-class cricket earlier this year, and when asked whether he would reconsider that decision if approached by new Test head coach Stephen Fleming, he was unequivocal:
"No, those days are gone."
What lies ahead for England?
England's path to the final remains mathematically possible but narrow. According to BBC Sport, Pakistan play Sri Lanka in Lahore on 27 October at 08:00 GMT, with England facing Sri Lanka at the same venue on 29 October at 08:00 GMT. The tri-series final is scheduled for Lahore on 31 October at 08:00 GMT.
England's bowling attack has been exposed by the back-to-back defeats, lacking an express pace bowler or mystery spinner to close out matches from winning positions. The squad will need to regroup and execute under pressure in their remaining fixtures if they are to salvage their tournament and maintain momentum heading into the World Cup campaign.
