It was very much a family affair as Sidmouth’s own Dom Bess made his debut for England. His parents and his 85-year-old grandmother were in the crowd to cheer him on.

Sidmouth Herald: England's Dom Bess during day three of the Second NatWest Test match at Headingley, Leeds. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday June 3, 2018. See PA story CRICKET England. Photo credit should read: Nigel French/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use without prior written consent of the ECB. Still image use only. No moving images to emulate broadcast. No removing or obscuring of sponsor logos.England's Dom Bess during day three of the Second NatWest Test match at Headingley, Leeds. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday June 3, 2018. See PA story CRICKET England. Photo credit should read: Nigel French/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use without prior written consent of the ECB. Still image use only. No moving images to emulate broadcast. No removing or obscuring of sponsor logos. (Image: PA Wire)

His father Russell, who played cricket for Sidmouth and rugby for Exeter, said: “It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind. We are chuffed to bits with him. It’s fantastic.”

They joined him on the pitch when he was presented with his first cap and followed him to both the Lord’s test match and the second at Headlingley in Yorkshire.

“It was strange being fairly anonymous in the crowd listening to total strangers talking about Dom. You sat there with a big smile on your face,” said Russell.

Dom scored his first test half-century at Lord’s and nearly got a second at Headingley, where he took his first international wickets and pulled off a spectacular flying catch.

Sidmouth Herald: England's Dom Bess celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Imam ul-Haq during day three of the Second NatWest Test match at Headingley, Leeds. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday June 3, 2018. See PA story CRICKET England. Photo credit should read: Nigel French/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use without prior written consent of the ECB. Still image use only. No moving images to emulate broadcast. No removing or obscuring of sponsor logos.England's Dom Bess celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Imam ul-Haq during day three of the Second NatWest Test match at Headingley, Leeds. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday June 3, 2018. See PA story CRICKET England. Photo credit should read: Nigel French/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use without prior written consent of the ECB. Still image use only. No moving images to emulate broadcast. No removing or obscuring of sponsor logos. (Image: PA Wire)

“He seemed to be taking it all in his stride. He was a lot less nervous than I was,” said Russell.

“I’ve never been nervous in my life, but that’s something else. It’s something we would all dream of doing, playing for England, and because it’s out of your control you can’t do anything.”

It was an especially proud moment for grandmother Maureen, who used to take the young Dom to watch his cousins play cricket and then followed his career from junior sides at Sidmouth through county cricket at Devon and Somerset to his England debut.

Her late husband Gerald, also a Sidmouth cricketer, gave him his first lessons in the garden as soon as he was old enough to hold a bat.

Sidmouth Herald: Dom Bess claims an early wicket - a taste of things to comeDom Bess claims an early wicket - a taste of things to come (Image: © Paul Clayden 2011)

Luke Bess, Sidmouth Cricket Club captain and Dom’s cousin, said: “We’re obviously very happy for him. The club are very proud of him and it’s very good for Devon cricket, too.”

Neil Gamble, chairman of Sidmouth Cricket, Tennis and Croquet Club, said Dom’s performance put all in cricket in Devon, Exeter and Sidmouth ‘in raptures’.

“We were delighted about Dom’s 50 at Lord’s and the second test gave him a chance to achieve his first bowling success for the national side.

“Dom has also made real strides to become an excellent fielder.

Sidmouth Herald: Proud family: Russell Bess, Dom Bess and Jane BessProud family: Russell Bess, Dom Bess and Jane Bess (Image: Archant)

“His left-handed catch diving full length to dismiss Pakistan’s Haris Sohail brought the Yorkshire crowd, not used to giving accolades lightly, to its feet.

“It was comic book hero stuff.”

Sidmouth Herald: Family celebration: (r to l) Dom Bess, cousin Zach Bess, mother Jane, grandmother Maureen, father Russell and girlfriend Phoebe Slee.Family celebration: (r to l) Dom Bess, cousin Zach Bess, mother Jane, grandmother Maureen, father Russell and girlfriend Phoebe Slee. (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Pakistan's Haris Sohail is caught by England's Dom Bess during day three of the Second NatWest Test match at Headingley, Leeds. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday June 3, 2018. See PA story CRICKET England. Photo credit should read: Nigel French/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use without prior written consent of the ECB. Still image use only. No moving images to emulate broadcast. No removing or obscuring of sponsor logos.Pakistan's Haris Sohail is caught by England's Dom Bess during day three of the Second NatWest Test match at Headingley, Leeds. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday June 3, 2018. See PA story CRICKET England. Photo credit should read: Nigel French/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use without prior written consent of the ECB. Still image use only. No moving images to emulate broadcast. No removing or obscuring of sponsor logos. (Image: PA Wire)