Young England off-spinner Dom Bess said he is feeling “really dangerous” and keen to get back on the park ahead of the second Test of the three-match Test series against the West Indies starting on Thursday 16 July at Emirates Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old, who still only five matches into his Test career, took two wickets in the first innings and was frustrated on the final day, as the off-spinner went wicketless in the second innings in the defeated first Test against the West Indies at Southampton.
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However, that wicketless innings could not dent the youngster’s confidence, as Bess is focusing on playing a significant role for England in the second Test, saying he is encouraged by the way he bowled at the Ageas Bowl – where the hosts lost the first Test by 4 wickets.
In a video interview, Bess said: “I know I went wicketless [in the final innings] but it could have turned and the thing that I'm focusing on is how well it is coming out at the moment. I do feel really dangerous and that is a great place to be as a spinner.”
The off-spinner further added, “I feel like I'm attacking both edges of the bat. My consistency and accuracy within where I'm landing it is dangerous. I guess that comes through practice and training, getting that feeling, getting that rhythm for myself. I've very big on my rhythm and getting into it. It's just a feeling and certainly, I think I've got it at the moment.”
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Meanwhile, the Somerset spinner said he is ready to bowl in the fourth innings if the second Test goes on the fifth day since the spinners can thrive at the Old Trafford pitch largely due to the extra bounce.
Bess further explained, “I'm used to bowling on spinning wickets, I'm not worried. People talk about this pressure of it being on me on the last day, I've spoken a lot to Leachy (Jack Leach) about it, this pressure that people put on us. I actually flip it around - it's a great opportunity. It's like saying to a seamer 'it's a green one today, are you worried about getting them out?' No, of course, you're not, you're excited because it is probably in your favor a little bit more and that's how I look at it. Certainly, the last couple of days and when it spins, that's my time to shine and stand up for the side.”
He also commented on the Stuart Broad’s omission from the Southampton Test, “For the coaches, captains and senior players, you want that competition for places.
Bess signed off, “You go through the whole squad and there are at least two or three who can do that role, that can only produce success in the long term. Look at Stuart Broad missing out in the first Test. I know he was gutted and that shows you the depth we have. One of England's greatest missed out.”
(With sky sports Inputs)
