SOMETHING special is brewing at Yorkshire. That is the view of regular County Championship title challenger Dom Bess.

The England off-spinner was in Somerset’s squad which reached last season’s Bob Willis Trophy final, while they also finished second in Division One in 2019, 2018 and 2016 - the latter being his debut year in first-class cricket.

New signing Bess claimed 6-53 in the second innings of Yorkshire’s Championship win against Sussex at Hove at the weekend, and the White Rose have now won two and drawn one and sit second in Group Three.

The Sussex win followed success at Kent the week before, both secured amid challenging conditions.

At Kent, a changed Yorkshire attack were faced with an attritional pitch. At Sussex, they were bowled out for 150 in the first innings and conceded a lead of 71 before winning by 48 runs.

“That’s what great teams do - they find a way,” said the 23-year-old ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Northamptonshire at Emerald Headingley (11am).

“Look at (champions) Essex. Against Durham a couple of weeks ago, they were bowled out for 96 and ended up scraping to a 160 lead and bowled them out.

“It wasn’t just against Sussex. That was a flat wicket at Kent. But we found a way.”

After taking five wickets late on day three against Sussex, Bess spoke about a difficult winter tour of India with England’s Test team.

He was left out of the side and, mentally, got to a stage where he “hated cricket”.

Being part of a winning Yorkshire team will clearly help rekindle his love for the game, and he is desperately keen to ensure they go all the way to the end of season Bob Willis Trophy final.

Last summer, he was 12th man for Somerset in the Lord’s final against Essex.

“We have the squad to do it,” he said.

“It would be lovely to get there, and it would be very nice to be a part of that because I missed out on quite a lot at Somerset.

“I see this changing room as a really exciting one.

“You look at the senior players we’ve got and the young players we’ve got, I think it’s a great blend.

“Although I’m still fairly young, I feel like I’m sort of sat in the middle.

“These lads know how to do it the Yorkshire way, and I’ve really bought into that. But I feel like I can bring in some other things from different environments, such as England.”

Bess knows all too well that success is not just secured by the 11 men out on the field. It is very much a squad effort.

So, he was quick to praise the efforts of Mat Pillans, in particular, during last two weeks on the road in the south.

“I’ve been 12th man, and I know how it feels,” he added.

“We had Maty away with us for two weeks, and he was close to playing.

“When you’re creating a winning culture, it doesn’t matter who is 12th man, it’s about what they contribute and the squad effort.

“He’s been brilliant, as have Josh Sullivan, James Wharton, George Hill when they’ve done it. That job is so important.”

Second-placed Yorkshire face a buoyant Northants side who have won one, drawn one and lost one so far and sit fourth in the Group Three table, 13 points behind.

They beat Glamorgan at Wantage Road at the weekend, chasing 355 to win by seven wickets. Opener Ricardo Vasconcelos made an unbeaten 185.

Captain and wicketkeeper Adam Rossington suffered a finger injury in that match. South African all-rounder Wayne Parnell is their overseas player.

As for Yorkshire team news, Ben Coad continues his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury and will be back training at Headingley.

Matthew Fisher is currently playing for the 2nd XI against Surrey as he builds up his workloads following his abdominal injury.

Matthew Waite will be sidelined for a further three to four weeks after suffering from a side-strain in the final pre-season friendly.

12-MAN SQUAD TO FACE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AT EMERALD HEADINGLEY

Gary Ballance
Dom Bess
Harry Brook
Will Fraine
Tom Kohler-Cadmore
Adam Lyth
Duanne Olivier
Steve Patterson (Captain)
Mat Pillans
Jonny Tattersall (Wicketkeeper)
Jordan Thompson
David Willey