LIAM Dawson believes he is a better bowler for the time spent with Daniel Vettori as he prepares to return to the UAE with the England Lions.

Dawson flies back to Dubai tomorrow ahead of the Lions’ five-match 50-over series against Pakistan A later this month, writes Simon Walter.

The 25 year-old’s inclusion is reward for his heroics during the recent T20 series against the same opposition.

During the tour, he benefited from a coaching masterclass courtesy of fellow slow left-armer Vettori, the former New Zealand captain, who took more than 700 international wickets.

Vettori is currently head coach at Brisbane Heat, but prior to the Big Bash he coached the England Lions spinners, having retired from international cricket last April.

Dawson believes he is a better bowler for the experience.

He said: To have experienced former players of that calibre there during the tour and to be able to pick their brains was great.

“Especially with Dan Vettori. As a fellow left-arm spinner, the way he spoke about is four overs in T20 cricket and how he uses each delivery carefully to build pressure – that something that I’ve really learnt a lot from.”

Dawson and new Hampshire teammate Reece Topley fly back out to Dubai tomorrow with most of the 16-man squad.

“The hard work begins there,” but I’m really looking forward and excited for the challenge – it’s an exciting time for us, added Dawson.

Lions and Hampshire captain James Vince will join them next week after he and Sam Billing were given extra rest.

Dawson, having replaced the injured Zafar Ansari last month, topped the Lions batting averages with 98 and took four wickets at 25 apiece as Pakistan A were beaten 3-2.

The former England U19 captain said: “It was very pleasing to be able to be part of a series win and to contribute in the five games with bat and ball was a real positive for me.

“To win the series and in exciting fashion too, was a fantastic feeling and I really enjoyed the trip and the whole environment whilst I was there.

“I thought Vincey captained brilliantly and Reece I know well from my stint at Essex last season so it’s good to have those guys around the system.”

The Lions have warm-up matches on January 14 and 16 before playing five 50-over matches in 11 days from the 20th.

Lions 50-over squad: Vince, Ball, Bell-Drummond, Billings, Clarke, T Curran, Dawson, Foakes, Malan, C Overton, J Overton, Parry, Plunkett, Roland-Jones, Westley, Whitely.