SOMERSET’s rising spin star Dom Bess is spending a second winter at the Darren Lehmann Academy in Australia, writes Richard Walsh.

Bess, 19, announced his arrival on to the Somerset scene in 2016 by taking 13 wickets in the three First Class games he played (including two five-fers and a best of six for 38).

This year, he is playing for Adelaide-based West Torrens Cricket Club who are enjoying considerable success.

He said: “We are currently undefeated in all three competitions and have got into the semi-final of our T20 competition.

“I feel like my competition has gone really well - bowling 4 overs 0 maidens 20 runs 2 wickets, 4/0/19/1, 4/0/12/0, 4/0/15/1 - which I have been pleased about, while I have been batting eight or nine but haven’t been asked to bat apart from once.

“In the 50-over competition we are top of the table, going through to the quarters.

“I bowled 10/1/31/1 and 10/0/45/4 which I felt very good about but, again, only coming in to finish one game getting five not out.

“The two-day games have also gone well and we are second in the table. Here, I’ve bowled 20.4/7/30/2 and 5/5/0/0.

“As a spinner I feel like you have to work very hard and stay patient, so these figures are good as it shows I have been accurate.”

Bess went on: “I’m just loving Adelaide, working again with the Lehman Academy and closer with Johan Botha on both my batting and bowling - I found he is someone who is very similar to me.

“I’m training Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, while playing Saturday and some Sundays – so it’s pretty full on.

“It’s been very good for my white ball bowling and, hopefully, I will be able to knock the door down there with good performances back home!”

Regarding his batting, Bess said: “My batting hasn’t gone to plan result-wise, but the work I’m doing in the nets I’m very happy with.

“Batting is one big thing in my game I feel like I have improved but, as a perfectionist, I want to try and get even better at it.

Bess has also had some time to travel, as he explained: “I’ve had a nice little break in which I travelled to Perth, Bali and New York as well.

“Now I’m back in Adelaide for another hard eight weeks, then it’s back home for pre-season.

“I’d like to wish all the Somerset Supporters a happy new year and I look forward to seeing them this year at the County Ground.”