CALNE cricketer Liam Dawson was handed a Test debut as England's fifth match of their series in India got under way in Chennai this morning.

Goatacre's Dawson, who was presented with his Test cap before the start of play by former England and Somerset cricketer Vic Marks, came into the England line-up with Alastair Cook's side looking to pick up a consolation win from the last remaining five-day contest.

The 26 year old, who plays county cricket for Hampshire, was set to bat at eight and provide a holding role with the ball following his selection.

Hampshire's director of cricket Giles White told the Hampshire CCC website: "It’s great to see another Hampshire player selected to represent England and it’s a testament to how hard Liam has worked on his game to get to this point where he makes his Test Debut.

Dawson's debut is his third for the national side this year, having made his ODI and IT20 debuts earlier this year.

The former appearance came at the Ageas Bowl, with Dawson claiming an impressing 3-27 with the ball to help steer England to an emphatic victory against Sri Lanka.

Moeen Ali took centre stage with an unbeaten hundred as England overcame their sticky start to the fifth Test against India.

Joe Root (88) and Jonny Bairstow fell 10 and 12 runs short respectively of their fellow Yorkshire batsman Michael Vaughan's 2002 all-time English record of 1,481 runs in a calendar year.

It therefore fell to Moeen (120no) to finish what he started with a 203-ball century, his fifth in Tests and first at the number four position he has inherited on this tough tour, out of a stumps total of 284 for four at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.