LIAM Dawson has been honoured as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year and becomes the first Hampshire player honoured since 2006.

The 34 year old spin-bowling all-rounder enjoyed a standout season for Hampshire, taking 71 wickets and scoring 1,280 runs in all competitions.

In the County Championship, Dawson averaged an impressive 60 with the bat and 25 with the ball - form that helped Hampshire push hard for the title.

His efforts have now earned him one of cricket’s most prestigious accolades, as he becomes the first Hampshire player to receive the Wisden honour since Kevin Pietersen.

Dawson joins an elite list that includes Hampshire legends Malcolm Marshall, Gordon Greenidge, and Robin Smith, becoming the club’s 17th recipient of the award since its inception in 1889.

Reacting to the news, Dawson said: To see some of the names in years gone by and to be on that list is a huge honour.

"It’s something I never really expected to do in my career, but to be one of those now is very, very pleasing.

"There are some exceptional players in there, probably a lot better cricketers than me. I’m honoured to be part of a very exclusive list.”

Dawson’s brilliance did not go unnoticed elsewhere. He was also named the PCA Men’s Player of the Year - the first domestic player to win the award since 2018 - and collected three further trophies at the Hampshire end of season awards.

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Dawson said: "I know it’s going to be hard to do that again, but I’m obviously very driven. I’ll be striving to do exactly what I’ve done last year and the year before.”

This year’s Wisden Five Cricketers of the Year - selected by the editor based on performances in the English summer - also includes Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, Sophie Ecclestone, and Dan Worrall, marking the first time since 2005 that all five are England-qualified.