‘I thought about all 10 for a bit’

DOM BESS believed he could follow in the footsteps of the great Jim Laker and take all 10 wickets in an innings after he claimed his maiden five-for on day three of the third Test against South Africa. The 22-year-old off-spinner ripped through the home side’s top order to take the first five wickets as South Africa wobbled in response to England’s first innings of 499 for nine declared. At that stage Bess had a chance to follow in the footsteps of Laker, who took 19 Australian scalps during the 1956 Ashes Test at Old Trafford, including all 10 in the first innings.

But a rain delay just before lunch interrupted his hot streak and, when play resumed, Ben Stokes dismissed nightwatchman Anrich Nortje to end Bess’s hopes of making history.

The Somerset off-spinner is still dreaming of claiming a nine-wicket haul on a fourth day, when South Africa will resume on 208 for six.

‘I thought about all 10 a little bit,’ said Bess. ‘But as soon as I did I was brought back to reality. Ten is a bit greedy, but there’s obviously four still out there and hopefully I can get them — but I’ll be happy if we just get them.

‘There was a couple of lads out there [in the crowd] who did bet on all 10 and, when I got five — it was 7-1, I think.

‘Unfortunately, they’ve lost that bet. I’m just happy contributing to be honest. Everyone is contributing in this group — it doesn’t matter what your age is.

‘It’s nice to know I am contributing to this side. As long as we get into positions to win games and I’m contributing, I’m happy with it.’