DOM Bess is expecting plenty of exciting cricket in the revamped 2021 County Championship, following the release of the competition’s early fixtures.

Yorkshire’s new recruit admits while he has always enjoyed the two-divisional structure of England’s domestic four-day competition, he likes the idea of all 18 counties fighting for all titles.

Bess also expects preparation of pitches to play a significant role and believes his game will progress on whatever type of surface he encounters in a White Rose shirt.

The England off-spinner said: “I loved Division One and Two and have always had that in my career.

“At Somerset, we were always either at the top fighting or, for one season I think, fighting down at the bottom. I’ve never really been in the middle without much to play for.

“But, in this year’s Bob Willis Trophy, it was amazing to see so many youngsters come in and perform.

“This year, next as well, there is a mixture of Division One and Division Two sides playing each other, and that could be good to add a few surprises.

“It will be a good scrap, bringing in underdogs and all that kind of thing.”

In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic forced a shortened two-month summer, and the three conferences were trialled with some success.

Two of the three table-toppers then advanced to a five-day final at Lord’s. Yorkshire topped the North Group, but missed out to Essex and Bess’ Somerset, although the off-spinner was only 12th man at Lord’s in a defeat.

In 2021, with a full summer planned, the ECB have introduced a variation.

Three initial conferences will each include six teams playing each other twice. After 10 games, the top two sides will advance to a ‘Championship conference’.

The middle two sides and the bottom two will go into other respective conferences.

A further four games will then decide the County Championship title winner, achieved by winning the top conference.

Then, the top two sides will advance to Lord’s to play for the Bob Willis Trophy at the end of September.

“The one thing I think will be really interesting is what pitches are produced and when,” said Bess.

“You could see some real green seamers to start with when sides are trying to get into that top division of six. Then, hopefully, we get some more turners later on.

“It will be really interesting to see.

“To have all clubs fighting for all titles, I think is a really exciting prospect.”

Bess swapped Somerset for Yorkshire ahead of 2021 in search of greater opportunity.

At Somerset, assuming both himself and fellow England spinner Jack Leach were both available, invariably left-armer Leach would get the nod unless the pitch was conducive to playing two spinners.

Now, Bess can expect to play at Yorkshire even if the pitch is suited to seam.

He added: “Part of the reason I moved was because I had to be playing all games within a summer to become a better spinner.

“Even if I’m not going to bowl as much within a game, I can still learn about impacting things in a short period of time. That could be holding up an end or trying to sneak a wicket just before the brand new ball.

“I’ve had a bit of game time up at Headingley already (on loan in 2019), but I’ve still got a lot to learn about bowling up there.”