Liam Dawson has not been selected as part of England's 17-man provisional World Cup 15 squad to play Pakistan and Ireland but has continued to press his claims in county cricket. He has already made a 50-over hundred against Surrey earlier in the season and has conceded just over 4 runs per over with his slow left-arm spin.

The Hampshire man bowled well again today as the defending champions booked their place in this year's final with a comfortable victory against Lancashire. Dawson's role with the ball is quite understated and he is often required to keep it tight while others push for wickets. That was very much the case today as he bowled well in tandem with Mason Crane who finished with 3 wickets to Dawson's 1. Dawson also made some useful runs putting on 59 for the fifth wicket and helping Hampshire recover from a position of 23-3 to finally win the match by 4 wickets.

Instead of Dawson, England have chosen to persist with Joe Denly who was named as the Players' Player of the Year last season. While Denly is a better batsman than Dawson he is best suited to playing as an opener and in this England team he is very unlikely to get a game in that position. Recently he has batted at 5 or 6 for England and acted as 2nd spinner. His wrist spin while a useful tool for a captain to have at his disposal is not something that England should be relying on during a World Cup. Denly has a happy knack of picking up wickets but he lacks control and leaks easy runs against the highest quality opposition.

The other option for England is to pick neither player and instead assume that Joe Root could play the role of 3rd spinner or maybe even back up spinner while of course batting at number 3 throughout the competition. The extra position, therefore, might go to a seam bowler with Joffra Archer now being eligible for selection meaning there is plenty of competition for places.

Personally, I would pick Dawson because I think he is a more natural replacement for Moeen Ali who is carrying a little bit of an injury. He also gives England a slow-arm option and can bat lower in the order which is again where we expect to see Moeen.