Bess Eager To Make Most Of England Test Chance

Dom Bess has insisted the prospect of playing his first match at Lord's in a Test for England won't get the better of him

London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2018 ) :Dom Bess has insisted the prospect of playing his first match at Lord's in a Test for England won't get the better of him. The closest the 20-year-old off-spinner has got to a game at the 'home of cricket' was when he was 12th man for visitors Somerset in a County Championship match against Middlesex last season.

But an injury to county colleague Jack Leach, who has broken a thumb, led to Bess's inclusion in a 12-man squad for the series opener against Pakistan and he could well be in the XI when the first Test starts at Lord's on Thursday.

Bess only made his first-class debut, against Pakistan at Taunton two years ago, and has since played a mere 16 first-class matches.

But asked if he felt ready for Test cricket, the Somerset bowler told reporters at Lord's on Tuesday: "Of course I do.

There's a lot of chat about me only playing 16 first-class matches, but I always believe that everything happens for a reason. "I think it is obviously a freak accident that happened to Jack Leach and I am gutted for him -- I saw him the other day.

But when I got the phone call, I am just going to take this opportunity." He added: "It is more for me the opportunity -- I see it as a great opportunity. If I put pressure on myself as well, then there is only going to be a spiral."