Dom Bess continuing cricket education in Australia

Dom Bess bowling for Somerset - photo: ppauk.com

by RICHARD WALSH

DEVONIAN Dom Bess who announced his arrival onto the Somerset scene in 2016 by taking 13 wickets in the three First Class games he played in which included two five-fers and a best of six for 38, is spending a second winter at the Darren Lehmann Academy in Australia.

Bess returned from Australia last Spring to spend a successful summer playing for Exeter, Devon and Somerset.

This year Bess is playing for Adelaide based West Torrens Cricket Club who are enjoying considerable success as the 19 year old explained: 'We are currently undefeated in all three comps and have got into the semi final of our T20 competition.

'I feel like my comp has gone really well - bowling 4 over 0 maidens 20 runs 2 wickets, 4-0-19-1, 4-0-12-0, 4-0-15-1 which I have been pleased about while I have been batting eight or nine but haven't been asked to bat apart from once.

'In the 50 over competition we are top of the table, going through to the quarters. I bowled 10-1-31-1 and 10-0-45-4 which I felt very good about but again only coming in to finish one game getting five not out.Dom Bess playing for Somerset - photo www.ppauk.com

'The two day games have also gone well and we are second in the table. Here I've bowled 20.4-7-30-2 and 5-5-0-0. As a spinner I feel like you have to work very hard and stay patient so these figures are good as it shows I have been accurate.'

Bess went on: 'I'm just loving Adelaide working again with the Lehman Academy where I'm working closer with Johan Botha on both my batting and bowling. As I found he is someone who is very similar to me.

'I'm training Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, while playing Saturday and some Sunday's so its pretty full on. I am also getting into the gym and running to keep Daz (Darren Veness) happy, but I'm loving it.

'There's plenty of boys out here who I know, and I work with George Hankins from Gloucestershire a lot as we both work with Botha, so the training has been too class. I am also picking the brains of Botes which allows me to understand how to consistently perform!

'It's been very good for my white-ball bowling, and hopefully I will be able to knock the door down there with good performances back home!

'I've also been lucky enough to have two session with Nathan Lyon when he came down here firstly when Australia played South Africa in the Adelaide Test Match match and then when he played for NSW, which was through Johan.

'I then got to bowl at the South Africans and meet them with him again, so it has been a great experience, picking up things from these guys.'

Regarding his batting Bess said: 'My batting hasn't gone to plan result wise, but the work I'm doing in the nets I'm very happy with alongside Johan and occasionally Mark Cosgrove who is also a coach this year at the DLCA, so it's only a matter of time.

'Batting is one big thing in my game that I feel like I have improved, but as a perfectionist I want to try and get even better at. Having a glimpse of first class cricket I know what to expect so I have been working extremely hard to make sure I'm up to scratch for the season.'

Bess has also had some time to travel as he explained: 'I've had a nice little break in which I travelled to Perth and Bali for Christmas and New York as well.

‘Now I'm back in Adelaide for another hard eight weeks, then its back home for pre season, which I cannot wait to be involved in for the first time with the Somerset boys.’