DESPITE snaring himself a slice of English cricket history during the fifth Test in India last weekend, Calne’s Liam Dawson has stayed focused on the next job at hand.

Unrelenting professionalism has been at the heart of the Wiltshire ace’s elevation to the highest level and, despite the 26-year-old producing the highest score made by an England number eight on debut, there was no way Dawson would allow himself to get carried away.

Called into the fold, primarily as a left-arm spinner, as replacement for the injured Zafar Ansari ahead of the fourth Test in Mumbai, in which he didn’t play, the Hampshire all-rounder hit an unbeaten 66 during England’s first innings in Chennai and went on to take the wickets of Murali Vijay and Ravindra Jadeja as Alastair Cook’s side were thrashed by an innings and 75 runs.

Dawson said: “I went out to Bangladesh for the BPL, and Test cricket didn’t even cross my mind. So to be sat here now, having made my Test debut in India, is very special. There was no question I was always going to be up for it.’’

Of his record knock, he added: “It’s nice to get small milestones - but it is a small milestone.’’ England may have been heavily beaten but it was a memorable debut for Dawson, who will also be returning to India with the nation’s one-day and T20 squads in January.

His attitude came as no surprise to his father Andy, who got out of bed alongside wife Bev across the weekend to watch his son in action.

“I’ve only really spoken to Liam over the odd text message,” said Dawson senior.

“I text Liam the day after his first innings to say ‘congratulations and well done’ and he replied to say that it was ‘just one innings’ and he had to bowl well the next day – that’s the type of person Liam is.

“We like to just let him get on with it because he’d always say that playing is his job and all he wants to do is try and do his job well.

“Anybody that knows him will know that he’s down-to-earth and not cocky at all.

“It is an absolute dream come true for him. Since he was little, he’s wanted to play for England but I think he set his goal on getting in to the one-day team and didn’t think that he’d play Test cricket.

“I think he’s done himself no harm at all, especially making your debut against India, in India.”

Despite his first-class – and now international – exploits over the years, Dawson, who was watched by his fiancée Sophie in India, has maintained a close affinity with village side Goatacre and still makes cameo appearances in the West of England Premier League.

“We’ve all got a WhatsApp group and there are loads of messages going around about it, and a lot of us have been getting up early to watch him,” said Goats chairman John Wilkins.

“I’ve heard from him a couple of times and I know he’s very tired because it really is a step up from anything that he’s done before.

“He’s been fielding for six or seven hours in the sun and bowling 20-odd overs.

“He’s pleased with how well he’s done but the thing with Liam is that he takes everything in his stride. It’s just another day at the office for him.

“We’ve had some lovely messages from other clubs too. Liam is well thought of across the county.”