Dom delights but it’s not enough...
Richard Latham watches Somerset spinner Dom Bess impress in a topsy-turvy encounter
Dom Bess could be forgiven for thinking that County Championship cricket is an easy game. Despite being on the losing side for struggling Somerset in a see-saw contest against Hampshire, the19-year-old off-spinner took his wicket-tally in just four appearances to 23.
Bess has already claimed five wickets or more three times in seven innings and can now add ten wickets in a match to his impressive, if short, CV.
His seven for 117 from 23.3 overs in Hampshire’s second innings followed figures of six for 28 on debut against Warwickshire and five for 43 against Nottinghamshire at the end of last season.
Now the exciting Devon teenager, a product of Blundell’s School, is looking to forge a regular first team place and help fulfill the dream of bringing a first ever Championship title to Taunton.
Bess said: “Everything is still a bit surreal, as I felt last season when I took wickets. I still have so much to learn and can’t believe the success I have had so far.
“The key for me since I got into the first team has been sticking to my game plan. I simply try to send down my best delivery every ball.
“I am trying to rip it and take wickets. You can think too much about the pitch and the players you are up against.
“I have worked a lot with our bowling coach Jason Kerr, and he basically tells me to back my ability.”
Bess accepts that coming into the Somerset side at a time when the club are making a conscious effort to produce turning pitches has helped him make an impact.
“They always used to say that Taunton was a graveyard for bowlers and if you could take wickets here you could do it anywhere,” he said.
“I’m still trying to keep people saying that, but it’s not quite the case! What pleased me most about this performance was that I kept getting batsmen out when the wicket went flatter.”
All four of Bess’ Championship appearances have come at Taunton. The next challenge is to prove he can be as effective on opposition territory.