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Dom Bess keen to sit back and enjoy the ride with England

Dom Bess is about to become the youngest Test finger spinner in England’s history.

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Dom Bess has his eyes on two prizes at Lord’s this week – wickets and sofas.

There is not a second’s hesitation before Bess, set to become England’s youngest ever Test finger spinner, confirms his ‘can-do’ reputation by nominating Pakistan wickets as his first driving force on debut.

The 20-year-old’s second objective will be less obvious to most, unless they have read of the moment last week when a phone conversation with national selector Ed Smith – to inform him of his call-up – interrupted Bess and his girlfriend’s trip round Ikea.

It became clear at his Lord’s press conference on Tuesday that he is a modern cricketer in more ways than one – and has therefore already spotted commercial potential in the timing of Smith’s call.

Asked his first target at HQ, Bess said: “Wickets! I’m an attacking off-spinner.

“I get very competitive, which is a trait of mine, you are always looking for wickets, aren’t you?”

Byproducts may extend beyond England victories, though, to the furniture which has had to take a back seat over the past week.

“I need to get hold of Ikea, I really do, because I’m in need of some sofas,” said Bess.

Dom Bess during the nets session at Lord’s
Dom Bess during the nets session at Lord’s (Steven Paston/PA)

Such considerations are a measure of how far, and quickly, Bess has progressed.

He put himself on the fast-track six years ago when, in an early indication he was a sportsman who could make things happen, he informed the Bess cricketing clan of Sidmouth he was prepared to wait no longer for a shot at the first team – so would be moving along the Devon coast and up to Exeter.

He added: “I was 14 or 15, and there was a spinner there called Charlie Miles. He was very good, and I never got my opportunity.

“I thought if I really want to kick on, I have to move clubs. It was quite a bold statement, a big deal. Down at Sidmouth, my grandfather, my father, all my cousins played there.

“I originally got a bit of stick for it, but I don’t regret it now.”

Two years ago, Bess made his first-class debut for Somerset – against Pakistan, of course – and just 16 matches later, is on the verge of Test cricket.

It will come on only his second trip to Lord’s, and first as a fully-fledged player.

“I was 12th man here [for Somerset last year], so I enjoyed the lunches. I put on a bit those few days,” he said.

“It was amazing – my first time properly up in London, so I was a bit of a tourist as well.”

Does he believe he is ready for the step up? The answer to that one is predictable, and resounding.

“Of course I do,” he said, voicing a note of empathy for fellow Somerset spinner Jack Leach, who made his England debut in March only for a broken thumb to rule him out last week.

“It is obviously a freak accident, and I am gutted for Jack. He is a top man, and I am very good mates with him.

“I look up to him, and he is delighted it was me who replaced him, we have a very good relationship.”

Bess’ early opportunity has come in unexpected circumstances, but he added: “When you get a taste of it, you want it even more.

“I really got that vibe off Jack – and as soon as I’ve been here now, I want it. I want it more and more.”

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