Dom Bess is no wonder bowler. He doesn’t do many variations. His skills do not headline as it does with Rashid Khan. He cannot swing the bat like Sunil Narine at the top. He cannot do doosra like others. He wasn’t the first choice of the team and didn’t make it to Somerset, his domestic team. But Bess grows constantly. He has one thing that most of the bowlers doesn’t– The control.
He controls the ball well and knows how to take advantage of the surface. He can bowl those long spells without getting tired but would make sure to reduce the partnership, add pressure on the batters. He knows how to embrace his little variations.
Rangana Herath, probably the best traditional spinner, took Bess under his shadow and played a major role in making him a better bowler. He taught him how to maintain his line and length which would frustrate the batters.
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Bess is a part of Somerset settings since he was 16. He signed a scholarship contract after being a part of the Under-19 England team as well as the Lions. His memorable moment came when he debuted for the championship challenge with Somerset. In his debut match, he picked up six wickets that included the wickets of the legends Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott in consecutive deliveries.
He followed it up with another fifer to show that it was no fluke. However, his career hit a low when he couldn’t make an impression at his first-class debut, playing against Pakistan. But an injury to Leach means Bess was tracked into the team and was all set to make his debut. Bess did alright there but couldn’t make a big impact. He returned with only three wickets but scored a 57, 49 in the two-match Test series. That wasn’t enough. He couldn’t keep up with Leach who came back from the injury and would go on to score that crucial single against Australia in the Ashes.
He stayed in the shadows of Leach for a long time in 2019. Some good performances and after impressing coaches at the nets, he was called up to play against South Africa following Leach’s illness. This time, he turned the tables with a beautiful fifer.
In the match, he didn’t try too hard. It was all basics. He embraced his tiny variations with all confidence and love. Faf’s dismissal is a perfect example of the confidence that came out of Bess’s arms. The pitch did help him a bit too. Despite De Kock’s resistance followed by Maharaj’s show, England won the Test comfortably. Bess announced himself that day. His accuracy was the talk. However, Ollie Pope stole the headlines that day.
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Playing in a bio-secure bubble is different. The rules are different, the atmosphere too. It’s all new to everyone and little Bess did take his time to settle. However, against West Indies, his batting did add a great impact to the team. His valuable 31* was much-needed. In the final day of the second Test, his dream delivery that dismissed Holder helped England to level the series. It was a dream delivery for a traditional spinner and coming against Holder must be special.
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No, his role in the team is not to get as many wickets as possible to keep that pressure, sometimes, build it. Bowling from the other end, he not only would finish his spell quickly but also create those half chances that the fielders nearby can grab. He might pick up fifer someday and might go wicketless still, he controls, and his role is vital.
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His future is uncertain. He might be dropped for the third Test with Leach taking up his position. He might not return again or he might win the spot and help England win the match. However, Bess will not be too much worried about it. He takes one thing time and is young enough to continue knocking the doors of the selectors.
Happy Birthday!
