Dawson, 36, took 380 wickets and scored 18 hundreds during a career that spanned 20 seasons. He was named men’s Player of the Year at the Professional Cricketers’ Association awards in 2024, as well as Overall Domestic MVP and County Championship Player of the Year, before winning a return to the England Test side last summer after an eight-year absence.

However, after featuring in four of Hampshire’s first five Championship games at the start of the 2026 season, with limited success, Dawson has decided to step away from red-ball cricket. He will continue to play in the limited-overs formats for Hampshire, and with Manchester Originals in the Hundred, and could prolong his white-ball career with England after featuring at the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

“I’ve decided to retire from first-class cricket,” Dawson said. “It’s a decision that I haven’t taken lightly but I feel for the benefit of prolonging my career in white-ball cricket, the time is right.

“I’m extremely proud to have played over 200 games for Hampshire and have had some amazing memories with so many players over the years. I’m fully committed to playing white-ball cricket for Hampshire and continuing the success we’ve had.

“To the fans and members who have turned out over the years, I can’t thank you enough for your support. Hampshire will always be my home, and I look forward to playing in front of you all at Utilita Bowl very soon.”

Dawson made his Test debut on the 2016-17 tour of India, scoring 66 not out in his first innings, in Chennai. He briefly wore the mantle of England’s No. 1 spinner in two appearances against South Africa the following summer, but did not make another appearance in whites until winning a recall for the 2025 Old Trafford Test against India.

In between times, he was a regular member of the white-ball set-up, collecting a World Cup winner’s medal as a squad member in 2019. Dawson was also a travelling reserve as England lifted the 2022 T20 World Cup, but it wasn’t until last year that he nailed down a starting role in the T20 side, becoming almost ever-present in the run in to the 2026 edition.

For Hampshire, he scored more than 10,000 first-class runs – only Robin Smith, Jimmy Adams and James Vince have tallied more in the 21st century – to go with 361 wickets in 211 first-class appearances. He has also helped the club win six white-ball trophies, including all three of Hampshire’s T20 titles.

Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket, said: “Liam has been an outstanding servant to Hampshire Cricket. To have played over 200 first-class games for this county speaks volumes about his dedication and quality.

“He leaves a huge hole in the team and will be hard to replace, especially for the remainder of this Championship season. He is the only Hampshire player of the modern era to represent the club in over 200 first-class appearances, which underlines just how rare an achievement that is at this level.

“We support Liam’s decision and are delighted he remains fully committed to the white ball game. He has been integral to the success we’ve built in that format, and we have no doubt he will continue to be a match winner for Hampshire for years to come. He remains a hugely important part of our plans.”