Yorkshire duo have their say on England’s pledge to show that selection is not a closed shop
DOM BESS said he’d “like to think that the door is open for everyone now” after England’s post-Ashes review promised to pay more attention to county cricket - while his Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow echoed that sentiment but warned that “the proof will be in the pudding”.
Speaking at the club’s media day on Tuesday, Bess and Bairstow were asked about one of the key issues of the moment - 24 hours after England pledged, among other things, to look beyond rigid and cosy team selection after the 4-1 defeat to Australia.
Bess said there had been little communication from England since he played the last of his 14 Tests five years ago - save for “a 20-second phone call with Rob Key to say that my incremental contract was done”.
“Since that, I’ve not had a word,” he added, insisting that he was “still dreaming of playing for England” again because “that’s why you play the game”.
While Bess, 28, remains one of the country’s premier spinners, Bairstow, 36, is realistic about the prospect of adding to his 287 all-format caps.
“Judging by the last few years, I'm not sure that's on their agenda,” he said, having last played for England 21 months ago.
“I don't need to say whether it's on my agenda. I just need to focus on leading this great club, leading a great bunch of players and going out and scoring the runs that I do.”
Then, with typical Bairstow flourish, he added: “It would be an interesting question for you to pose to them if I do go out and score a couple of hundreds early season.”
One would hardly bet against it – and it seems disappointingly obvious that Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket, and his colleagues should be considering county performances as a matter of course as opposed to having the notion almost forced upon them by their own shortcomings.
“It’s good to know that people are watching,” added Bairstow, while Bess said “it’s only right county cricket should be looked at” as a “breeding ground” that has produced “so many good players”.
England have acknowledged a disconnect between themselves and the counties, with Key to meet the directors of cricket next week in a bid to improve relations.
Bairstow hit the nail on the head when he said: “I think the question you’d ask is why have they disconnected (with the counties) in the first place? Because if you’re trying to rebuild something, then you’re admitting that you’ve done something wrong previously.
“I think there’s a lot of very gifted county players. As soon as you don’t have people that are chasing you up your backside, you become comfortable, and when you become comfortable, you become complacent.”
Bess agreed: “I remember playing (for England) and always looking over my shoulder. That’s the brutality of international sport.
“If county cricketers felt there was no step up, then you’re only ever boxed into county cricket. Notts, for example, winning the Championship last year. There should be opportunities probably for some of those boys who have won the Championship and done so well.”