Book tickets to the various music and other events hosted at Utilita Bowl
Visit Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl's online store to get your hands on official replica and supporter kit as well as a range of other merchandise.
Liam Dawson has been selected in England's 13-man squad to face Sri Lanka at the The Ageas Bowl on 5th July
Liam Dawson could make a “special” England debut at the The Ageas Bowl, the ground where he has spent almost a decade honing his skills as a Hampshire all-rounder.
One of three uncapped players selected in a 13-man T20 squad for England’s clash with Sri Lanka on Tuesday 5th July, 26-year-old Dawson could potentially figure alongside Hampshire teammate James Vince.
In an undeniably challenging season so far for the club, Dawson has continued to impress ECB selectors and there would be no better-suited location for the all-rounder to launch his England career than the The Ageas Bowl.
“It’d be special to play here as an England player,” Dawson said. “It’s what dreams are made of.
“It would be huge to make my debut at my home ground, but it’s an honour to even be in contention for a spot. I feel privileged to be amongst a group of such top-class cricketers.”
The term 'all-rounder' is often overused, but in Dawson’s case it accurately reflects his versatile capabilities on a cricket field; he can score runs, take crucial wickets and provide a safe pair of hands in the field.
He has looked composed at the crease and delivered inspired performances this season, notably clinching a one-day victory at Middlesex by hitting an unbeaten 68 runs off 40 balls, as well as claiming a wicket with the ball and taking three catches.
Most recently, Dawson hit 57 and took two wickets at Gloucestershire, and then high-scored for Hampshire with 46 in their latest NatWest T20 Blast encounter at Taunton.
Dawson said: “I’ve put in some strong performances for Hampshire this season in both one-day and twenty-20 cricket, but I wasn’t expecting the call up to be honest.
“All I can do is keep doing what I’m doing for this great club, and getting the call up is just a huge bonus for me. International cricket is what a player strives for.”
Having spent valuable time on the international scene with England’s Lions, the announcement of Dawson’s inclusion in England’s 15-man World T20 squad in February confirmed that the Hampshire man is more than capable of playing cricket at the highest level.
With Worcestershire’s spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali taking a rest from international duties, there is a real opening for Dawson, whose England journey began with the under 19s back in 2007.
He said: “Sri Lanka are a good side and if I was to get a chance to play against them I’d be delighted - it would be a big moment for me.”
“Hampshire have some big games coming up though, so I’ll focus on those first before looking at the T20 against Sri Lanka.”
