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.
“As soon as [I took the call], I was straight out of that place to phone mum and dad. I need to have a quiet word with Ikea, I need a sofa!”
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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