London:
Uncapped Hampshire all-rounder Liam Dawson has been called up by England for the World Twenty20 tournament that starts in India next month.
Seamers Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes both miss out on selection for the 15-man squad, but Steven Finn is included despite his recent struggles with injury.
As expected England overlooked Kevin Pietersen, despite his excellent recent form in South Africa’s Ram Slam competition and Australia’s Big Bash League.
The Super 10 stage of the tournament starts on March 15, with England playing their Group One opener the following day against the West Indies.
Also in their group are Sri Lanka, South Africa and one qualifier from Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Scotland and Hong Kong.
Left-arm spinner Dawson, 25, has scored seven first-class centuries, but it was his good form with the ball on the England Lions tour of the UAE that has seen him picked.
England coach Trevor Bayliss admitted that he does not know too much about the latest member of his squad.
“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,” Bayliss said.
But the Australian added: “I went to one or two of their (England Lions) 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 personality-wise.
“He can bat as well, and he’s a good fielder apparently.”
Australian Bayliss said that he was considering keeping Finn on the current tour of South Africa, but decided to give him time to rest ahead of the tournamant in India.
Pietersen, who is currently in Dubai playing for the Quetta Gladiators in the inaugural Pakistan Super League, was named player of the series when England won their only major global trophy in the 2010 World Twenty20.
