IF Bury beat Crewe Alexandra this Saturday, a small corner of the England cricket dressing room out in Sri Lanka will be Shaking with excitement.

That will all be down to Hampshire spinner Liam Dawson, who is a lifelong Bury fan.

How does a Hampshire cricketer come to support the Shakers?

“My dad, Andy, was born up there, and we used to go all the time when I was younger, before I signed on the Hampshire Academy,” explained the 28-year-old.

“We used to go most weeks, and it was good fun.

“I haven’t been for a while as I just haven’t had the time. But I always look out for the results, and it’s good to see we’ve had a few wins to start the season.”

Dawson senior was actually born in Manchester, but he has lived in the Swindon area for the last three decades, where Liam was born.

Andy played youth cricket in the North West and went on to win the National Village Club Championship at Lord’s with Wiltshire side Goatacre in 1990.

“I used to go when I was aged seven to probably 12, in the days of Stan Ternent as manager and when Dean Kiely was the goalkeeper and David Pugh played,” continued Dawson. “I still have a few mates who go and watch them.

“I think dad went to the Swindon away game a few weeks ago, which we won.

“It’s a shame to see them back in League Two after the money that was spent. But sometimes you take a gamble and it doesn’t pay off. Thankfully we’ve started okay this year.”

Dawson has played all forms of international cricket for England, including three Test Matches against India away and South Africa at home in late 2016 and 2017.

But he is now seen as more valuable to their limited overs sides and has been recalled for a five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which started yesterday, due to the spin-friendly nature of sub-continent pitches.

His last international appearance of any kind came in a T20 clash with New Zealand in Hamilton in February.

“It’s a great squad to be involved in,” he said. “And it’s a great series coming up.

“There’s also a World Cup next year, so it’s good to be in an around the squad again.”

Dawson is the third frontline spin option behind the more established duo of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid and is realistic regarding his chances of game time.

He added: “The way they’ve played over the last few years, the job they’ve done as a partnership, Mo and Rash have been outstanding.

“They’ve won a lot of games for England, so I know it’s going to be hard to get into the team.

“If we do come across a wicket which spins or there’s an injury, I’d be very excited and would look forward to playing.”

Wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler is the only Lancashire player in the squad.