England off-spinner Dom Bess says he was surprised by South Africa’s lack of aggression on his return to the Test side in January.
Bess played two Tests against Pakistan in 2018 before being overlooked until the end of 2019, with Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Jack Leach, and Matt Parkinson all winning call-ups in his stead.
Bess’ short first stint in the Test side was a creditable one, with the Somerset twirler claiming 3-33 in England’s series-levelling victory at Headingley, but his bow at Lord’s proved expensive as he conceded 4.26 runs per over across his 20.4 overs.
“When I got Faf out, he nailed one straight to square leg, that was quite a surprising moment for me. First because how hasn’t that gone for six? And then how the lads came in after that, they were blocking me when I thought they could be caressing me through extra cover. That was quite a surprise.”
Fellow podcast guest Graeme Swann echoed Bess’ thoughts, crediting it to the effect that playing at Test level has on a batsman’s psyche, and suggesting his own early success against Rahul Dravid was down to a similar cause.
