HAMPSHIRE coach Dale Benkenstein admits to being “thrilled” by Liam Dawson’s sensational Royal London One-Day Cup form.

Dawson continued his outstanding 50-over form with 67 and 3-34 as Hampshire beat Warwickshire by 23 runs (D/L) at Edgbaston last night.

He is Hampshire’s leading player with bat and ball - the perfect response to being loaned to Essex last month.

Benkenstein, who recalled Dawson after a fortnight, said: “Everyone gets dropped every now and then but good players come back better from being dropped. What Daws is doing is what I expect of him.

“I’m thrilled for him and what he’s done for the team.”

Dawson helped Hampshire recover from 94-4 to post 280-7 after losing the toss after a second stand of 120-plus with Will Smith in as many days.

“We did very, very well to get that score on what wasn’t an easy wicket,” continued Benkenstein.

“The runs from Liam and Will in the last two games have been gold. The last game was very disappointing but tonight was excellent.

“There was something in the wicket for the spinners so to get 280 was an unbelievable effort.”

Rain reduced Warwickshire’s target to 208 in 31 overs, but they were restricted to 184-9.

“When the rain comes and Duckworth/Lewis comes into play you don’t have much control and I was a bit worried because we let them back in,” added Benkenstein.

“But Daws was the difference with the ball as well. He really spun it and his wickets made the difference in the end.”

Dawson said: “It was a strange wicket. It took a bit of time for new batsmen to get in so we thought anything over 250 was a bonus.”