NICK HOWSON: The offspinner has been omitted from the squad for the second Test after falling apart in the concluding innings in Chennai
England make four changes for second Test, with Moeen Ali replacing Dom Bess
Good things come to those who wait, and this is Ben Foakes' turn
Dom Bess will be given the chance to fight for an England Test recall in India after being dropped for the second Test in Chennai.
The offspinner has been replaced by Moeen Ali in the 12-man group under consideration for selection.
Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Olly Stone and Ben Foakes have also replaced James Anderson an injured Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler, who has returned home.
But the headline alteration surrounds Bess, who after taking 4-76 in the India first innings in the first Test struggled as England pursued victory on day five.
He finished his eight overs with 1-50 and while Jack Leach was able to inspire the 227-run victory, his former Somerset teammate looked all at sea.
England captain Joe Root has confirmed the 23-year-old, who has taken 17 wickets at 22.71 in 2021, has been asked to spend the time away from the team on his game in order to improve his consistency.
"It wasn't an easy decision," the skipper explained. "Dom has contributed fantastically well in these three games and has made a real impact.
"With him missing out the message for him moving forward is to keep working at that consistency in his game and delivering that skill time and time again and building pressure over long periods of time.
"As well as he has done and his contributions have been fantastic, that is one area that he can improve on.
Bess tore through India in the first innings in Chennai
"He is very young and at the start of things and this doesn't mean he's going to be pushed back down the pecking order.
"It gives him an opportunity to take a step out of Test cricket, the harshest environment, especially in these conditions, especially against a team who play them so well and take stock and work at his game. It was a difficult decision to make.
"I am sure Bessy will be frustrated about it but that is good as well. You want competition for places, you guys to be playing well all the time and want to be in amongst it all. He is a wholehearted player and I expect a response from him."
He added: "It was a difficult conversation. "It has been made very clear what he needs to go away and work on and he has taken that on board.
"I am sure he will come back with questions and I am sure he will be disappointed but that is what you expect from guys who really care who want to be out there performing all the time for their country.
"He has a really good attitude, he'll go away, he'll use this time wisely and he'll develop himself as a player."
Woakes and Stone are vying to complete the XI for the second Test.
While the former would offer a reverse-swing option in the absence of Anderson, Stone is a like-for-like replacement for Archer, whose elbow injury is expected to recover in time for the third and fourth Tests in Ahmedabad.
Images courtesy of BCCI
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Posted by Deano on 13/02/2021 at 08:45
Well, it's not like Moeen Ali is pulling up any trees in the second Test. 15 overs, 1 for 70 at time of writing. Should have stuck with Bess.
Posted by Tony K on 13/02/2021 at 01:16
A little odd, I think. 17 wickets at 22 against subcontinental bats on their own grounds...and because his control has let him down at times he has to not only be passed over for a chap who hasn't played for ages and was royally smashed last time he toured India , but also be pointedly and publicly informed that his best at present isn't good enough and he needs to "go away and work harder"... Could they not have just "rested" him (he might well benefit from a few days out of the pressure cooker) and discussed his work in the nets ? Maybe they think they'll get more out of him next match if they get him angry - the stir up Stuart Broad approach ? Hope they know what they're doing...
Posted by Marc Evans on 12/02/2021 at 21:59
I fear it will take more than going away and working to make Bess into a test spinner. He's always been a white ball roller without the consistency required to put batsmen under pressure or the turn to bother decent batsmen on more helpful wickets. In short he's a useful county bowler who can bat a bit. Right from the start he's remained distinctly underwhelming at the top level, fortunate in getting so many wickets from long hops and full tosses. His abject performance in the 2nd innings at Chenai sums his predicament up.
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