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

The uncapped Hampshire all-rounder, who has also played for Goatacre, has progressed sufficiently with England Lions to convince the selectors his slow left-arm variety is their best option as a third spinner in sub-continental 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.

He joins Hampshire colleague James Vince, who hails from Steeple Ashton, in the T20 party.

Dawson's chance to press for a place in it came as a shock to him, via a telephone call from national selector James Whitaker over the weekend.

The 25-year-old recalled: "He said: 'Well done on the winter', then asked if I'd booked any holidays for March.

"Luckily I hadn't - because then he told me I was in the Twenty20 squad.

"I definitely wasn't expecting it. It's a dream come true - you do all that training as a kid hoping it might happen one day.

"It's obviously an amazing tournament to be involved in - especially being in India as well, which will be an exciting thing to experience."

Bayliss 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.

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 personality-wise.

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

National selector James Whitaker added: “Liam Dawson has been selected after consistently strong performances for the Lions recently against Pakistan A.

"As a left arm spinning all-rounder he will be a very useful addition, particularly in sub continent conditions.