Spinner takes 7-15 to put Hampshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup Final
After Hampshire had demolished Warwickshire by nine wickets to reach the 50 over final, Liam Dawson was understandably delighted with his own and the team’s performance.
“I’ve been involved with Hampshire since I was ten. I love playing for the Club and it means a lot to get to a final. We put in a perfect performance.”
As for his bowling spell in which he took 7-15 including three in four balls and the last five without conceding a run, he was clear what was needed on a used, hybrid pitch:
“I thought it would spin a bit because it spun when I played here in The Hundred last week. I just needed to put it in the right area at a good enough pace and length. I bowl a bit quicker so when the pitch spins, I can get more out of it than some spinners. So I tried to be as accurate as I could and it just spun enough. The Burgess wicket was a nice ball. But when it came to the hat trick delivery, I just got a bit greedy.”
93 all out delivered the game to Hampshire on a plate and they cruised home by nine wickets. But it might not have been so easy if the Bears had managed a few more:
“We thought that anything over 180 on that pitch might have been tricky.”
Liam, of course, was playing in The Hundred during the Group stages of the Metro Bank Cup so has only played in the quarter and semi final stages.
“Yes, it can make things disjointed because you’re taking another player’s spot. So it was nice to contribute and play a part in getting to the final because a lot of lads in the changing room have played their part in the earlier stages to get to this point.”
With that, Liam Dawson went off to join what hopefully was a joyful celebration of a great win.
