RISING star Liam Dawson is keeping his cool, despite a sensational finish to his first summer as a professional with Hampshire.

The 17-year-old, of Hazel Grove, Calne, has broken into the first team against Northamptonshire Steel-backs in a Pro40 game. He has since played against Warwickshire and Gloucestershire at the Rose Bowl in the Pro40 competition.

Despite his success the youngster is keeping is feet firmly on the ground.

"I have hardly played in the first team and I can't really look too far ahead until I have a decent run," he said. "I might play more next year but, being young, I might have a terrible year because I haven't got the experience."

"My aim is to try and get into the County Championship team, but I don't think I will do it this year because there are only two games left."

He made the most of his chance, scoring 32 from 33 balls and adding 64 for the sixth wicket against Northants with captain John Crawley -one of the men he had won £120 from at poker just hours before.

"I was really nervous when I found out I was going to playso to take my mind off it I played poker with the lads," he said.

"It was me, John, Shuan Udal and Michael Brown. So winning on top of making my debut was a real bonus."

Now even mixing with stars like Shane Warne is becoming normal.

"The first time it was strange because Shane was there and only last year I was watching him in the Ashes at Perth," he said.

"But he has become a normal teammate on and off the field because he just chats to you."

Dawson played for Australian side Melville in Perth last winter and is planning to go back again next month, ahead of the U19 World Cup with England in January.

He said: "I'm going to go back to Perth in mid October for two or three months, come back before Christmas, have a couple of weeks doing nothing and then it is the World Cup in Malaysia.

"I'm really looking forward to that, it is going to be fantastic.