India vs England: Liam Dawson admits Test call-up came as a complete surprise

Dawson’s unbeaten 66 was the highest score by an England Test player on debut at No8

Dawson performed admirably in his first Test innings, finishing unbeaten (Philip Brown)

Liam Dawson admits his Test call-up came as a complete surprise following the record-breaking half-century that put England in a good position in the fifth Test against India.

Dawson’s unbeaten 66 was the highest score by an England Test player on debut at No8 or lower in the order, beating the 65 Darren Gough scored from No9 against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1994.

The Hampshire spinner only got the call-up to replace the injured Zafar Ansari before the fourth Test in Mumbai.

Dawson had been with the England Lions in Dubai having been playing in the Bangladesh Premier League T20 tournament a fortnight ago, but his half-century helped England recover from 321 for seven to post 477 batting first in Chennai.

India, 3-0 up in the series, closed the day on 60 without loss. Dawson, though, is still pinching himself after such a good start to his Test debut.

"It was a complete surprise to get the call-up, but I was happy to get it and I’m happy to do well,” he said.

“I went out to Bangladesh for the BPL and Test cricket didn’t even cross my mind. So to be sat here now having made my Test debut in India is very special.”

Dawson, 26, was struck by just the second ball he faced in Test cricket, a bouncer from Ishant Sharma keeping lower than expected. But despite being hit by Sharma again in the midriff on 21, he recovered to post a fine half-century.

“It’s nice to do well on debut,” he said. “It was an interesting first few balls in Test cricket for me but I was pleased to get through.

“I managed to put that ball to the back of my mind and concentrate on the next one which was crucial. I haven’t got a clue where it hit me. I was alright, it must have hit a good part of the helmet because I felt alright. I’ve been hit before a couple of times.

"The first 20 balls were probably the most nervous I've ever been, but thankfully I came through it. It’s my Test debut. There was no question I was always going to be up for it.

I managed to put that ball to the back of my mind and concentrate on the next one which was crucial. 

Liam Dawson

"I’ve never experienced this type of pressure before but I think I'm dealing with it pretty well.

“You make one Test debut and I was extremely excited and from a team point of view we said we wanted to finish this tour on a high and we’re in a fairly good position.”

On beating Gough’s mark, Dawson added: “It’s nice to get small milestones but it is a small milestone. From a personal point of view it’s a very special day and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”