Harmison feels Bess was ‘chucked under bus’ after struggles

Former England bowler Steve Harmison claimed Dom Bess had been “chucked under the bus” after his struggles with the ball helped India turn the tide on day two of the fourth Test cricket match.

The game was finely balanced with the hosts 146 for six in response to 205, but a stunning 101 from Rishabh Pant and an unbeaten 60 from Washington Sundar changed things dramatically in the evening session.

India ended 89 ahead on 294 for seven, leaving England to rue an uneven attack which had been thinned out to make room for an extra batsman. Bess’ form on his return to the side left them even more vulnerable, as he was trusted with just 15 overs and finished wicketless at a cost of 56.

His figures could have been worse given the lack of control he was able to exert, but the 23-year-old received a sympathetic hearing from Harmison, who questioned his treatment on the tour.

After taking 17 wickets at 22 each in the first three Tests of the winter, he was dropped for Moeen Ali, who was then asked to delay a planned rest period and remain with the squad. Had he agreed, Bess would probably not have taken the field in Ahmedabad.

“Dom Bess was chucked under the bus by the whole hullabaloo with Moeen Ali,” Harmison told talksport’s Following On podcast.

“The minute they asked Moeen Ali to stay was the minute Bess was going under that bus. That, for me, was a downward spiral for a young kid who has played very few Test matches.

“That’s culminated in the day’s cricket that we got today. I feel so sorry for the kid, I really do.”