The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 season is currently underway, with the league stage matches being played in Pakistan. In an interesting development, the Lahore Qalandars recently acquired uncapped Australian player Shane Dadswell in the PSL 8 Replacement Draft held between the league stage matches.
Shane Dadswell is a relatively unknown cricketer who has catapulted into the limelight after being selected by one of the top PSL franchises. Here is some background on who Shane Dadswell is and his cricket career so far:
About Shane Dadswell
Shane Dadswell is a 23-year-old Australian cricketer who plays primarily as a wicketkeeper-batsman. He was born on 3rd May 1999 in Melbourne, Victoria.
Dadswell has been playing age group cricket for Victoria since Under-17 level. He is a top-order batsman who also keeps wickets. His aggressive batting style is suited to T20 cricket.
Domestic Career So Far
After shining in junior cricket, Dadswell made his domestic debut in 2018 for Victoria in Australia’s JLT One-Day Cup. However, opportunities were limited for him behind first-choice wicketkeeper Sam Harper.
He has played 9 List A matches, scoring 187 runs at an average of 31.16. His List A high score is 78 not out.
In T20s, Dadswell has played 14 matches and scored 261 runs at a strike rate of 125.11. He has 1 half-century to his name in the T20 format.
The emerging cricketer earned his maiden call up to the Victorian first-class squad in the 2021 Sheffield Shield season. He is yet to make his first-class debut for Victoria.
Due to limited chances, Dadswell has also turned out for Cricket Australia XI and invitational sides like the CA Chairman’s XI to gain exposure and experience against quality oppositions.
PSL 8 Selection
Dadswell entered the PSL 8 draft but went unsold initially. However, the untimely injury to Lahore Qalandars’ wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris opened the door for the young Australian.
Lahore Qalandars signed Dadswell as Haris’ replacement in the mid-tournament Replacement Draft through the emerging category.
Shane Dadswell has previously trained under the coaching of Lahore Qalandars’ coach Aaqib Javed at the franchise’s player development program. This prior association helped the team identify him as the ideal back-up wicketkeeping option.
Strengths and Playing Style
Although inexperienced, Shane Dadswell is seen as an exciting batting talent with a wide range of strokes. He has the ability to hit big shots down the ground and over cover.
As a keeper, he is rated for his nimble footwork, athleticism and having good hands. Dadswell is expected to provide solid backup behind the stumps to Lahore’s lead keeper Azam Khan.
His aggressive approach is well-suited for T20 cricket. The young Australian has a chance to make a name for himself on the global stage through his maiden PSL stint.
Expectations from PSL Stint
While Dadswell is not expected to feature in Lahore’s playing XI immediately, he can provide cover as an injury replacement. His rookie contract puts no financial pressure on the team management to play him.
This gives the 23-year-old time to train, gain experience by being around top players, and get acclimatized to conditions in Pakistan.
If he gets a game, Dadswell will look to grab the opportunity by showcasing his batting skills to the world. A successful PSL stint could also open up franchise T20 leagues around the world for the Victorian cricketer.
For now, the uncapped Shane Dadswell will be looking to make the most of his maiden brush with the big league by spending time with and learning from the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Rashid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi at Lahore Qalandars.
