Bess: Lord’s debut the stuff dreams are made of

England spinner Dom Bess has described the opportunity to make his Test debut at Lord’s as the stuff of dreams even if the result didn’t go England’s way.
Bess made a handy contribution with the bat scoring a fifty on debut having got the call up to the England Test team while shopping at IKEA.
The tweaker said the moment was something of a bitter sweet one as his teammate at Somerset Jack Leach had to pull out with injury.
In his column for the Somerset County Gazette Bess wrote: “It’s not often that you go from furniture shopping with your girlfriend to making your Test debut at Lord’s, but that’s what’s happened!
“While I was over the moon, I was absolutely gutted for Leachy.
“I’m sure that he would have been in the squad if he hadn’t suffered a freak injury, and I have no doubt he will come back stronger and do what he does best – taking wickets.
“To make your debut for your country at the Home of Cricket is the stuff that dreams are made of.”
Bess also made his debut for Somerset against Pakistan and was pleased that he could receive his Test cap from county legend Vic Marks.
He went on: “I seem to be making a habit of making my debut against Pakistan; they were also the opponents when I played for Somerset for the first time back in 2016.
“It was great to have all my family there on the first day at Lord’s and what made it even more special was that I received my England cap from Vic Marks.
“He’s a Somerset legend and as a fellow spinner he was able to offer some great advice.
“To walk out on to the field as an England player was an amazing feeling and one I will never forget.
“Obviously, the result wasn’t what any of us wanted but to have scored a 50 on debut was pretty special.”
Bess said the whole squad were committed to coming back strong in the second Test and having put in the work came back to level the series with Pakistan with the spinner himself falling just short of a fifty having come in at four as nightwatchman on day one.
He wrote: “The whole squad worked really hard ahead of the second Test, and that showed in the performance.
“Jimmy [Anderson] and Stuart [Broad] got a bit of stick in the press after the first game, but they showed that they are still right up there with the best last weekend.
“They led the attack in completely the right way and that got us way ahead of the game! It was a pleasure to watch them bowl.
“On the batting front we got a great start from Keaton [Jennings] and Cooky [Alastair Cook], and everyone chipped in as a team.
“A special mention has to go to Jos [Buttler] for taking away the game and putting us in a serious position on day three!
“I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity I got as nightwatchman and really tried to capitalise on that.”
Latest
-
News
A closer look as England claim fifth-successive overseas Test victory
The last time England achieved such a sequence was when they came from behind to defeat Australia 4-1 in the 1912-13 Ashes.
-
News
The stats that show Joe Root is on track to become England’s record Test run-scorer
The captain is now up to fourth on England’s all-time list
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 4: England sweep series with devastating display
Joe Root’s side had spent most of the first three days chasing the game in this second Test but made their move emphatically on Monday.
-
News
Joe Root urges England to ‘stay hungry’ after clinching Sri Lanka series win
The England captain wants his players to carry the form into the India series.
-
News
Jos Buttler: Everyone can learn something from watching Joe Root play spin
England’s captain scored another Test century in Galle.
-
News
England seal series win over Sri Lanka on dramatic day in Galle
Spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess shared eight wickets between them before Dom Sibley and Jos Buttler guided the tourists home.
-
News
England in pole position for 2-0 series win after Jack Leach and Dom Bess strike
The tourists need 164 to secure victory.
-
News
England chasing 164 to beat Sri Lanka after Jack Leach and Dom Bess dominate
The hosts were dismissed for just 126 on the fourth afternoon.
-
News
Dom Bess and Jack Leach spin Sri Lanka into serious trouble in Galle
England are closing in on a series win.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 3: England skipper Joe Root’s brilliant form continues
Root’s 186 helped England battle back against Sri Lanka in Galle.