Dawson in World Twenty20 squad; Bayliss admits: 'I haven't even seen him play!'.

Byline: CRICKET By DAVID CLOUGH

UNCAPPED Liam Dawson is the surprise inclusion in England's ICC World Twenty20 squad to travel to India next month.

The Hampshire allrounder has progressed sufficiently with England Lions to convince the selectors his slow left-arm variety is their best option as a third spinner in subcontinental conditions. Dawson, who will join England in South Africa next week to shadow the Twenty20 squad in action for two matches in Cape Town and Johannesburg, will have an opportunity then to impress head coach Trevor Bayliss.

The Australian admits he has yet to see Dawson play, but was encouraged by both his ability and his attitude during Lions practice sessions in the United Arab Emirates before Christmas.

Hampshire all-rounder Dawson and frontline seamer Steven Finn, reportedly recovering well from injury, are the only additions for the global tournament to the T20 squad to face South Africa at the end of the ongoing tour.

Chris Woakes is the omission from that 14-man party, to make way for Dawson as an extra spinner and back-up to Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali.

Asked what he knows of Dawson, Bayliss said: "Not a real lot. I haven't actually seen him play a game.

"He came to a practice when we were out in the UAE, and he was there with the Lions."

Dawson's character, as well as his cricket, has already struck a chord with Bayliss.

He added: "I went to one or two of their practices and saw him in the nets. From a bowling point of view, he gets a bit on the ball, and he looks as though he's got something about him personalitywise.

"He can bat as well, and he's a good fielder apparently."

It was confirmed in yesterday morning's squad announcement that there will be no place for Kevin Pietersen, whose exile from the national team has extended beyond two years.

England squad for ICC World T20 (March 8 to April 3): EJG Morgan (Middlesex, captain), MM Ali (Worcestershire), SW Billings (Kent), JC Buttler (Lancashire, wkt), LA Dawson (Hampshire), ST Finn (Middlesex), AD Hales (Nottinghamshire), CJ Jordan (Sussex), AU Rashid (Yorkshire), JE Root (Yorkshire), JJ Roy (Surrey), BA Stokes (Durham), RJW Topley (Hampshire), JM Vince (Hampshire), DJ Willey (Yorkshire).

TODAY: First Test Match (day 1 of 5) (S) Wellington: New Zealand v Australia (21.30).

Liam Dawson (main) impressed England head coach Trevor Bayliss (inset) with his bowling during practice in the UAE