Dawson's lofty ambitions in all three formats
‘There is no certain competition that we target, we talk every season about competing and trying to win all three.’
Those are the words of Hampshire all-rounder Liam Dawson ahead of the new County Championship campaign starting today against Durham at Chesterle-Street.
The 2023 season proved to be a fruitful one for Dawson, especially in the Championship where he picked up 840 runs and 49 wickets.
Despite claiming the most wickets taken by an English spinner in the campaign, the 34-yearold was overlooked by England's selectors for The Ashes and the tour of India.
Hampshire have finished third two years in a row in the County Championship, with
Surrey taking the top spot both times.
Dawson said: "I think they (Surrey) are the favourites but also the division this year is a lot stronger than what it has been over the last couple of years.
"Durham look a really good team, Essex are always up there, and Lancashire will be a good team this year with Nathan Lyon.”
Hampshire won the same amount of games (eight) as Surrey last year, but lost four to the champions’ two.
Dawson said: "If we turn those losses into draws, you lose less games, and then that puts you very close to winning it, because we won as many games as Surrey did.
"That's a big thing for us as a group, not losing as many games and trying to get a couple more draws."
Hampshire have proven themselves to be competitive on all formats.
They have reached the T20 Blast finals day more than any other county, on 10 occasions, and also reached the Metro Bank One Day Cup last year despite being without many regulars due to The Hundred.
Hampshire’s squad are once again looking to challenge on all fronts, and Dawson is aiming for all three titles.
He said: "When you play at a club like Hampshire you want to compete in all three formats and win in all three formats.
"There is no certain competition that we target, we talk every season about competing and trying to win all three.
"We have a good enough squad to do it and over the last five years we have been one of the most consistent teams in the country to compete in all formats and put ourselves in position to win things.
"That's a real positive and something that this club will continue to do."