Bess, the 20-year-old off-spinner from Somerset, was a surprise call-up for the first Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s after Jack Leach was ruled out with a broken thumb. With the Lord’s surface not aiding spin, Bess’ maiden Test was a mixed bag. He returned match figures of 0-88 in 20.4 overs, but with a solid 57 in England’s second innings, he gave a glimpse of his temperament.

The hosts fell to a nine-wicket defeat inside four days, but despite a wicketless debut, Bess wasn’t too unhappy with his performance.

That England made Pakistan bat again was down to Bess. Coming in at 110-6 in the second innings with England still trailing by 69 runs and and in danger of going down on the third day itself, Bess carved a crucial 126-run stand with Jos Buttler to thwart the Pakistani bowlers for 37.4 overs. He became the fourth-youngest Englishman to score a Test half-century.

“That was an amazing feeling to get my first half century for England, a very special moment. Walking off at the end of the day felt great and I was in a bit of a zone,” he said.

The fourth morning was always going to be tricky with the ball doing a fair bit and Pakistan took all of 25 balls to wrest any momentum England had gained on the third evening. The 64-run target was easy for their batsmen.

“The final morning was disappointing,” admitted Bess, but he was optimistic about England’s progress. “Joe (Root, the captain) wants to build a culture now after the winter. He wants a culture where it is a successful side for a long time. We’ve got a good group of core players in the side and they drive it and everyone is on board. Things will happen but it is not a short process.”