Bess could really make England mark on Sri Lanka tour, says Root

England captain Joe Root has tipped Dom Bess to harness spinning conditions in Galle and prove he can be a leading man in Test cricket as well as a support act.

Today’s series-opener against Sri Lanka will be Bess’ 11th Test appearance but his first on the sub-continent, where conditions typically allow for slow bowlers to take centre stage.

Bess has had to settle for a more low-key role for the majorityof his international cricket thus far, failing to bowl an over in four of his 15 innings in the field and often being used to hold down an end for the seamers rather than attack in his own right.

Having made his name with Somerset on the turning tracks of Taunton, Bess is more used to hunting wickets than restricting run-rates and it is no surprise that his career best international haul came against South Africa on as pin friendly pitch in Port Elizabeth last January.

Root has not forgotten how Bess stepped up to claim five for 51 in that match, nor his grounding in the south west, and is expecting him to shine in the coming days.

“We know Dom has the ability and skills if it does start spinning quite quickly to take advantage of that. It’s a really good opportunity for him to show what he can do in these conditions,” Root said.

“I think the fact that he’s experienced big spinning conditions already at home in Somerset colours will hold him in really good stead and he also had success in Port Elizabeth, where it did spin quite drastically. As someone right at the start of his career, he’s still learning that and that’s exciting to see that he’s had success already, and coming into these conditions where they might be slightly more in his favour, he could potentially really make a mark on this tour.”

England are also awaiting a final briefing before taking the field to remind them of how much they should interact in the heat of the game, with footballers back home increasingly under the microscope for celebrating in close proximity despitethe spread of corona virus.

Elbow touches and fist bumps have been encouraged in cricket since the outbreak of the pandemic and Root suggested they would be attempting to show restraint again in the coming weeks.

“I’m sure the medical staff will make sure that the protocolsare kept in place and that if there is anything that needs to be discussed before the game starts, then we are made very well aware of it,” he said.