England spinner Liam Dawson to start first Test against South Africa

Sport360 staff 18:39 05/07/2017
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  • Liam Dawson.

    New England Test captain Joe Root has announced that Hampshire all-rounder Liam Dawson will face South Africa in the first Investec Test at Lord’s.

    Dawson made his Test debut against India in Chennai and has got the nod ahead of Middlesex seamer Toby Roland-Jones.

    Root, named as Alastair Cook’s successor five months ago, will lead an England side featuring two spin bowlers – Dawson and Moeen Ali – in a Lord’s Test for the first time since 1993.

    Recalled Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance is set to bat at three, with Root coming in at four followed by Jonny Bairstow.

    Root is relishing the opportunity to experience the thrill of being Test captain for the first time on Thursday, and hopes to be able to retain England’s more aggressive approach following on from the limited overs and Twenty20 set-up.

    “Of course it is a different format, and at times that might not allow it, but I would like to think so,” Root said on Sky Sports News HQ.

    “One of the things is to be quite natural in terms of the way I will go about things.

    “I would like to think I am quite proactive to my approach to batting in cricket, so hopefully that will rub up on the rest of the lads and the way we go about things out on the field.”

    Root has confidence Ballance can deliver higher up the order.

    “He has had his success in an England shirt when he has batted at three, so his game is in good order, he has played very well this season and does look a different player to last time he represented England,” Root added.

    “I know the sort of person he is, and I am sure he is determined to show everyone he is capable of performing at this level.”

    Root revealed he had taken plenty of advice over what may lie ahead when the 26-year-old walks out at Lord’s in the captain’s blazer for the first time.

    “It has felt forever since that announcement, so now I am really looking forward to the next five days,” Root said on BBC Sport.

    “I have been speaking to a few people, and thinking about how I want things to go because I want to be quite natural and instinctive when I get out there, with a good balance of both.

    “I spoke to a few of the players, ex-captains as well, and it was nice to pick their brains to see what they went through in their tenure, to get prepared for what is around the corner.

    “Most England captains have had something to deal with, but I just see it as a great opportunity, it is a very exciting group of players, and around the squad as well, so I am really excited of what we can produce in the future.”

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