Born 4 August 1980,[1] Doncaster, Yorkshire, Dawson attended Batley Grammar School and Exeter University.

He played for the England Under-19 side against New Zealand in 1998/99 and Australia in 1999, and made his first-class debut for British Universities against the touring Zimbabweans the following summer.

[1] He made his Test match debut against India in 2001/02, and filled in for the injured Ashley Giles during the following winter's Ashes series.

In February 2014 Dawson was appointed as the Second XI coach of Yorkshire County Cricket Club to replace the departing Paul Farbrace.

[3] In December 2019 Dawson was named as the coach for the England Lions' eight-match tour of Australia, due to take place in February and March 2020.