LIAM Dawson admits he would have been shocked to have been called up for England’s one-day series with Ireland.

The Hampshire all-rounder made his international debuts in all formats last year, impressing each time, writes Alex Smith.

But Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were preferred for the two-game clash with Ireland and the Champions Trophy.

Dawson insists he always thought he would be playing for Hampshire against Gloucestershire on Sunday, rather than at Lord’s.

“I wasn’t expecting to be in it,” Dawson said.“In England you don’t need three spinners in your squad so it didn’t surprise me when I didn’t get the phone call.

“There is nothing I can do about that, I just have to keep bowling well in the 50-over competition.

“It was an enjoyable winter but this is a big season with Hampshire and I am short of where I would like to be.”

Left-arm spinner Dawson has been an ever present for Hampshire this season in both formats.

His economical bowling in the Royal London One-Day Cup has been a stand out of a so-far tricky competition.

Despite being happy with his white-ball form Dawson, who has taken six Specsavers County Championship wickets and made 89 runs, has been far from enthralled with his red-ball form.

“I’ve been a bit quiet so far,” Dawson revealed. “I have got a few starts with the bat but haven’t gone on.

“I would like to have bowled a bit better in four-day cricket, I have been inconsistent which is something I usually pride myself on.

“It hasn’t really been there in the first three games but the way I have bowled in 50-over cricket I have been consistent and taken some wickets – I have been economical as well.

“You want instant success and that can lead to putting yourself under more pressure.

“I think everyone goes through it in early season – there is still five months of the season left.

“Potentially I have bowled a little bit too much like I would in one-day cricket in four-day cricket so far.

“I have had a good couple of years and we all know as cricketers you go through a few dips in form and at the moment I am a little short of where I want to be.

“I learned over the winter at international level you have to be very consistent and constantly on your game.

“If you offer it for a second with bat, ball or in the field you are going to get hurt.

“There are some extremely good international cricketers out there so you have to be good in everything you do.

“From first ball to 150th ball you have to be on it for every minute of the game.

“Bowling is a rhythm thing and my rhythm has been out in the first few four-day matches.”