Dom Bess has insisted the prospect of playing his first match at Lord's in a Test for England won't get the better of him. The closest the 20-year-old off-spinner has got to a game at the 'home of cricket' was when he was 12th man for visitors Somerset in a County Championship match against Middlesex last season.
But an injury to county colleague Jack Leach, who has broken a thumb, led to Bess's inclusion in a 12-man squad for the series opener against Pakistan and he could well be in the XI when the first Test starts at Lord's on Thursday. Bess only made his first-class debut, against Pakistan at Taunton two years ago, and has since played a mere 16 first-class matches. But asked if he felt ready for Test cricket, the Somerset bowler told reporters at Lord's on Tuesday: "Of course I do. There's a lot of chat about me only playing 16 first-class matches, but I always believe that everything happens for a reason.
"I think it is obviously a freak accident that happened to Jack Leach and I am gutted for him - I saw him the other day. But when I got the phone call, I am just going to take this opportunity." He added: "It is more for me the opportunity - I see it as a great opportunity. If I put pressure on myself as well, then there is only going to be a spiral."
Leach made his Test debut against New Zealand earlier this year and Bess said he had spoken to his team-mate about playing for England at the highest level. "He absolutely loved (his debut) and I saw when he came back - him and Craig (Overton) - when you get a taste of it, you want it even more," Bess said.
"I really got that vibe off Jack - and as soon as I've been here now, I want it. I want it more and more. I think that's a very good trait to have.
"(Leach said) 'You're here for a reason, and you've just got to adapt now to the level up'. I hope that's something I can do well."
Meanwhile Bess was delighted to be soaking up the atmosphere of Lord's, with that 12th man stint his only previous visit to Lord's - a ground he never attended just as a cricket spectator.
"It will be a very special day if I get my chance to play out here. "I've never been to the home dressing-room (before), so to have a look at the (honours) board was very special.
"I hope one day I can get my name up there." Last week saw Bess reveal how he had answered a telephone call confirming his England call-up while shopping in furniture store Ikea.
And on Tuesday he said he'd still to complete his intended purchase of a sofa. "I need to get hold of Ikea, I really do, because I'm in need of some sofas," he said. "As soon as (I took the call from national selector Ed Smith), I was straight out of that place to phone mum and dad. "I need to have a quiet word with Ikea, because I think they got a bit of press about it as well. I need a sofa!"