Devon Cricket Board - Dom Bess glad of chance to play in Adelaide

Dom Bess glad of chance to play in Adelaide

Left to right- Sarah Taylor (England Women), Graham Clark (Durham) Alex Frick, Dom Bess and Joe Gatting (Sussex CCC)

DOM Bess has been on a huge learning curve during his winter stint ‘Down Under’ on an ECB scholarship to the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy, writes Richard Walsh.

The Exeter all-rounder, who graduated from the Somerset Academy last summer, is spending the UK winter honing his game in Adelaide and playing or Northern Districts.

The former Blundell’s School student – he skippered the 1st XI in his final year – started out at Sidmouth and went though the Devon youth system.

Bess, who won’t be 19 until July, said his five months in Australia have been unforgettable on and off the field.

“There has been ups and down during that time and obviously the hardest is being away from home,” said Bess.

“Having to live and do everything for yourself is an eye opener - and my parents will be pleased I have learned to cook and clean.

‘Seriously, the experience has moulded me as a person and into a better, more confident player understanding the game more especially with the knowledge from the academy and also the club during training and game days.”

Part of the learning curve is getting to play with and against some top-draw players on a weekly basis.

“Sitting in the changing room at my club we have the experience of Mark Cosgrove, Joe Gatting (ex-Sussex and Hampshire), Graham Clark (Durham) and Sarah Taylor (England Women), who was a real eye opener when she played a couple of games,: said Bess.

“The cricket is very challenging, especially for a young spinner against the quality of players playing on flat pitches that don’t usually favour spinners as they are very flat.

“It has made me look as bowling spin differently, trying to beat the batsman in the flight and pace when it doesn't turn.”

Bess feels he is rising to the challenge and has stats to back up his claim.

“I am currently on 33 wickets this season at a average of 16 in two-day, one day and T20 cricket” said Bess.

“I am averaging 30 with the bat so it's nice to be contributing with both bat and ball.

“I've been working very hard on my fielding to make sure that up to scratch.

“Adelaide has been amazing. It helps that the weather is around 30-40 degrees most days.”

Bess is well aware he is in Australia to become a better cricketer with a grueling schedule to stick to.

“We train from Monday-Friday, playing Saturday for my club and the occasional Sunday,” he said.

We are in the gym on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and have a tough conditioning session on Tuesday and Thursday.

“I try and fit in my weight program from Daz (Darren Veness, Somerset’s strength and conditioning coach) to make sure he's happy when I get home.”

“We also have the occasional games for the DLCA, which has been great fun and to a quality standard. We recently beat Redbacks 2nd XI in which I was lucky enough to be captain.

“We also travelled to Sydney to compete against the Thunder and Sixes Academy in which we had Shaun Tait playing for us, which was another special moment.”

Bess played for Somerset 2^nd XI last season - in one and three-day formats – and appeared in three of Devon’s six Minor Counties Championship games.

Can 2016 be his breakthrough year? If it is his time in Adelaide will have had something to do with it.

“I believe I have started the year cricket-wise on a huge positive and aim to bring the form I m in back into the 2nd XI and new Under-19s side and hopefully take all the opportunities with both hands when they come along,” he said.

“I am having a really great time out here and I feel my cricket is really developing.

“I have to thank Matt Maynard (Somerset) and Peter Such (ECB) for the opportunity they gave me with this trip to the Darren Lehmann Academy.”

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