Dawson called up into Lions squad

Dawson is captaining the England Under-19s team in South Africa

Hampshire all-rounder Liam Dawson has been called up for next month's England Lions trip to New Zealand.

The 18-year-old, who is currently captaining the England Under-19 side in South Africa, will then spend five weeks down under.

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove told BBC Radio Solent: "It's a great step for him on his career ladder."

Dawson became Hampshire's youngest first-class centurion during their last game of last season at Nottinghamshire.

He averages 27.57 with the bat from six first-class appearances, and has taken six wickets at 35.50 with his left-arm spin.

606: DEBATE How do you rate Liam Dawson's progress?

Bransgrove, though, has sounded a note of caution about Dawson's fast track into the England set-up.

"My only concern is that he's rushed. He needs a year or two of playing steady cricket against grown-ups in the County Championship and other competitions," he said.

"His call-up demonstrates the rapid strides he's made. But the next issue is one of timing.

"It's all seen as part of his development process as a future England player, but clearly we need to get him established as a county player first."

Dawson made his first-class debut at Yorkshire at the end of the 2007 season, and also picked up two man-of-the-match awards in one-day cricket in 2008.