England spinner Dom Bess to join Yorkshire

The 23-year-old, who announced last week that he was to leave Somerset, enjoyed two separate loan spells at Headingley in 2019, playing in both the T20 Blast and County Championship

England spinner Dom Bess will join Yorkshire at the end of the season after signing a four-year contract.

The 23-year-old, who announced last week that he was to leave Somerset, enjoyed two separate loan spells at Headingley in 2019, playing in both the T20 Blast and County Championship.

Despite emerging as the national side’s first-choice spinner, Bess has found opportunities more limited at Taunton.

He has had to contend with both Jack Leach and Roelof van der Merwe for playing time.

“This is not a decision that I’ve taken lightly,” he said when Somerset first revealed that he would be moving on. “I’ve been with Somerset since joining the academy, I’ve grown up here and some of my best friends are in the team with me.

“It’s been a really hard decision. There were good discussions with the club and they offered a contract extension, however, I think it’s the right decision in terms of needing first-team opportunities. Given the direction that I want to go with my cricket I think it’s time to move on.”

^{Bess played in all six Tests this summer}

In 26 first-class outings for the club, he has taken 79 wickets and scored 757 runs. Since his England Test debut in 2016, he has claimed 19 scalps at 40.57 apiece.

“Hopefully the opportunities I can get with Yorkshire will develop my learning to kick on and play international cricket for a long time,” he added.

“It is a great opportunity for me to develop my white-ball skills and show that I'm a three dimensional player.”

Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon said: “Dom has showed his quality and potential this year with England and made a huge impression at Yorkshire during his loan spell last season.

“The signing of Dom will bolster our spin options but it also gives us more batting depth down the order. Dom will be a key asset to the club across all formats, and will add further strength to the young and exciting squad that is being assembled.”

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