Former Doncaster Town cricketer lands England coaching role for West Indies series

Richard Dawson, who learned his game at Doncaster Town Cricket Club, has been appointed England’s spin coach for their forthcoming Test series against the West Indies.
Richard Dawson speaks to his players during an England Lions training session in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this year. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty ImagesRichard Dawson speaks to his players during an England Lions training session in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this year. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Richard Dawson speaks to his players during an England Lions training session in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this year. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Doncaster-born Dawson led the England Lions on a successful tour of Australia over the winter and has been working closely with some of the country’s established and up-and-coming spinners since late last year.

The 39-year-old was appointed Gloucestershire’s head coach in 2015 after a season in charge of Yorkshire’s second XI.

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“I wasn’t expecting it at all,” Dawson said. “I was preparing for the season at Gloucestershire and waiting for guidance from the ECB on the county schedule and then this great opportunity came up.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the England group and I’m grateful to be asked to work with such top class players and coaches.”

England have named a 30-man training squad and added Dawson, Glen Chapple, Matt Walker and Chris Read to their coaching staff.

Dawson will link up with England next week ahead of the first Test match, starting on July 8.

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Gloucestershire Cricket chief executive Will Brown said: “It is absolutely brilliant news that Richard has been asked to join the England training camp as their spin bowling coach. Having led an unbeaten tour of Australia with the England Lions as head coach earlier in the year it is great to see him once more involved with one of the national sides.

“We know that he will do an exceptional job with this group of England players and that he will flourish in this environment.”

Dawson’s time in the England setup as a coach began last November at a specialist spin bowling camp in Mumbai designed to enhance the ability to bowl and face spin in different conditions. Following that, he led the England Lions on an Australia tour that saw the team return home undefeated for the first time.

ECB performance director Mo Bobat said: “Both Glen (Chapple) and Richard (Dawson) were involved in winter Lions activity, so it’s nice for them and the players to build on effective coaching relationships and it’s also a real positive for our domestic game that we can expose a greater number of our coaches to international cricket.”