Manchester, Jul 24 (PTI) Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that the inclusion of seasoned left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, who he calls an "all-round package," has brought balance to the English Test team in the ongoing series against India.
Drafted into the playing XI after an eight-year hiatus due to Shoaib Bashir's injury, the 35-year-old Dawson made an immediate impact. He dismissed the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal with just his seventh delivery, having him caught at first slip on the opening day of the fourth Test against India on Wednesday.
"He is the kind of cricketer as a captain you say 'give me control, a few runs and you field nicely'," Vaughan said on the 'Test Match Special' podcast.
"It is the all-round package and for this England side, and going forward to Australia, they are stronger with this style of cricketer in it."
Dawson last featured in a Test match back in 2017 against South Africa and has since had a stop-start international career, with three Tests, six ODIs, and 14 T20Is under his belt. In the longest format, he has taken a total of seven wickets.
While Bashir has been England's first-choice spinner since last year, Dawson’s batting ability gives him an edge. Bashir has a top Test score of 13, whereas Dawson boasts 18 first-class centuries.
"On the pitches we are seeing in the UK and potentially Australia I want to see a batting line-up that is absolutely packed," Vaughan said.
"The over-spin of Bashir is very dangerous but what you require in this England team on the pitches they are playing is control. I don't think he (Dawson) is going to get six or seven-fors but he will get two or three. If the pitch breaks up he may get four or five-for."