It’s sofa so good for likely lad Dom
DOM BESS is relishing the chance to become England’s youngest finger spinner and will look to follow in the footsteps of Graeme Swann if, as expected, he makes his Test debut against Pakistan at Lord’s.
The Somerset off-spinner has played just 16 first-class matches since making his debut in a tour match against Pakistan in 2016, but his 63 first-class wickets at an average of 22.49 made him the natural choice to come into the squad when Jack Leach, his county team-mate, broke a thumb last week.
At 20 years and 306 days, Bess will be 81 days younger than Derek Underwood was when he made his debut against West Indies at Trent Bridge in 1966 aged 21 years and 22 days.
Bess found out about his England chance when he received a call from chief selector Ed Smith while shopping in Exeter’s branch of Ikea last Wednesday.
And while he still may be without a sofa, he is comfortable with the prospect of making his Test debut tomorrow and has vowed to try to emulate Swann – England’s most prolific off-spinner – when he gets his opportunity.
“I’d like to look to take wickets,” said Bess. “I always remember watching Graeme Swann – he would always attack the stumps and brought in a lot of dismissals.
“I am an attacking off-spinner. I get very competitive, which is a trait of mine, but it depends on the role and the situation. But you are always looking for wickets aren’t you?
“The best thing is I’m going to develop as well and it’s going to be on the job. With the standard going up, hopefully at 20 I’ll be able to improve.
“The opportunity to be here is a dream come true. It’s a big occasion but at the end of the day it’s just another cricket game.
“I feel ready. There’s a lot of chat about me only playing 16 first-class matches but I always believe that everything happens for a reason.
“It was obviously a freak accident that happened to Jack Leach and I am gutted for him. But I am going to take this opportunity.
“You are going to get a little bit nervous but I have been asked a couple of times about the pressure of it. You are always going to have pressure but it is more about the opportunity. I see it as a great opportunity.
“I’ve only played one T20 and six List A games, so it’s interesting to think that maybe this opportunity has come around because I’ve just done red-ball.”
Bess is still searching for somewhere to sit in his living room but will not be short of endorsement offers if he establishes himself in England’s Test team this summer. “I need to get hold of Ikea, I really do, because I’m in need of some sofas!” he joked. “As soon as I took the call from Ed Smith, I was straight out of that place to phone mum and dad.”
Bess’s relaxed demeanour bodes well considering he has never played at Lord’s. The only previous time he had visited the Home of Cricket before this week was last summer, when he carried the drinks in Somerset’s Championship match against Middlesex.
“I’ve never played Lord’s,” he said.
“I was 12th man here so I enjoyed the lunches last year – I put on a bit of weight during those few days. It was amazing – it was my first time properly up in London so I was a bit of a tourist as well.
“I absolutely loved that. be a very special day if my chance to play out at It will I get here.” England’s senior players have been welcoming to a bowler who is six years junior to the next youngest player in the squad – 26-year-old Ben Stokes.
“They’ve been really good to me, I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “In terms of advice there’s not a lot you can say. They said, ‘just be yourself’ so I’ve just tried to be myself – these days don’t come around often.”
And, lunches aside, his favourite part of the Lord’s experience so far?
“I’d never been to the home dressing-room before, so to have a look at the honours board was very special,” he said. “I hope one day I can get my name up there.”
If Bess plays as well as he talks then there is every chance he will do just that – maybe even this week.