DOM Bess is currently out in Spain with the rest of the Somerset squad attending a pre-season training camp at Desert Springs, writes Richard Walsh.

However, the 19-year-old off-spinner who burst onto the Somerset scene last season, taking 13 wickets at an average of 10.46 in his two championship matches, knows that he is facing a real challenge in 2017.

The youngster, who played up through the Devon age groups before graduating through the Somerset Academy, has spent a second winter out in Australia, which he talked about just before heading off to Spain.

“It was a little bit different for me in Australia this year because I knew what I was going out to regarding the conditions.

"Before I went I didn’t know my side, as there was a little bit of a change, but this year I played for West Torrens which was really good.

“I found out when I started playing that they were bottom of the league last year and were looking to link up with Port Adelaide, and there was a bit of a legal battle going on off the field," added Bess, who hails from Sidmouth.

“However, on the field it was challenging and we did really well as a team.

"I bowled well but probably didn’t get as many opportunities with the bat as I would have liked, but I worked a lot on that side of my game in the nets out there with various coaches.

“I was on the Darren Lehmann Academy three days a week and then the other two I’d spend time working with some of the others who were out there, like George Hankins from Bath.”

Looking towards the new season Bess said: “I’d love to be able to pick up from where I ended last season, but I think that this year will be a massive learning curve for me.

“I feel like it is going to be a challenge and it is going to be about taking my opportunities like I had last year.

"Last year I created those opportunities by the way I played in the Seconds, and I will be looking to do the same [this season].

“As a team the Second XI did phenomenally well in 2016 and that always drives you.

"We have got a good environment and last year we had a winning habit in the side, which we hope to carry on with this year.

Bess added: “It should be really good, and I am looking forward to getting back here and getting going again.”