Kerr sends signal to Bess that his time will come

Dom Bess, who is poised for a Somerset recall against Essex

By Richard Latham

DOM Bess has been given a verbal boost by Somerset head coach Jason Kerr ahead of the Specsavers County Championship match with Essex at Chelmsford, starting on Sunday.

The England off-spinner is back in the squad following an encouraging loan spell with Yorkshire and might even make his first Somerset appearance of the season in red ball cricket if the pitch looks like turning.

Essex off-spinner Simon Harmer produced match figures of 12 for 61 in an innings victory over Hampshire on the same ground this week, so there may be a temptation to field a second specialist slow bowler in support of Jack Leach.

Kerr insists that, even if Bess doesn’t make the team this weekend, he is certain to play a role in Somerset’s challenge for a first ever title over the second half of the campaign.

Craig Overton, who is on the way back“It will amaze me if Dom does not make some key contributions for us,” he said. “His successful spell with Yorkshire has boosted his confidence.

“It was a move that suited all parties because he played a high level of cricket at a time when he would have been in our second XI.

“Now we have decided to call him back to boost our bowling options and we know what a good player he can be.

“He is in the squad for Chelmsford and we will finalise the team on Sunday morning. We are not making assumptions about the pitch. I have viewed footage of the Essex v Hampshire game and there were some poor shots played against Harmer, who is a very good bowler.”

The last time Bess faced Essex was during his loan at Yorkshire when he made 91 not out against them and took three for 45 in the first innings of a drawn game at Headingley.

Following his meteoric rise to the England Test team, the 21-year-old Devonian has faced the frustration of being second choice spinner behind Leach in his county squad.

Somerset go into the game on Sunday 23 points clear of second placed Hampshire in the First Division table with a game in hand on their nearest pursuers.

Craig Overton faces a late fitness test on a groin injury, with Josh Davey on standby to replace him.

“We think Craig will be okay, but won’t be taking any chances over his fitness,” said Kerr. “There is strong competition for places in our pace attack so it would be silly to take any risks.”

While the head coach accepts Somerset are in a great position to make club history this summer, having won five out of their first six Championship fixtures, he is adamant that no trace of complacency will be tolerated.

“My message is the same as it has been all season,” said Kerr. “If we concentrate on ourselves, ignore what other teams are doing, and keep on striving to improve we will be hard to catch.

“But the First Division is so competitive that all opponents are dangerous. That certainly applies to Essex and we need to be at our best to beat them.

“The exciting thing is that we are top of the table without having produced a complete performance. Our top order batting has yet to fire, probably because that is the most difficult place to go in when the climate is as it has been.

“The new ball nips around when conditions are damp and overcast. But we have some top players contending for batting places and those who haven’t hit top form yet can be expected to do so at some stage.”

Marcus Trescothick was unable to get a score under his belt in a Second XI Championship game with Middlesex at Radlett this week and will be given a longer break from first team action to recover form.