Jos Buttler thought Joe Root had walked back out to join him in the middle, such was the skill and temperament on display from Dom Bess as these two sons of the Somerset academy set about rescuing England from the ignominy of a three-day defeat.
It remains to be seen whether their twin half-centuries in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 125 runs compiled over the course of the final session on Saturday have simply delayed the inevitable in this series opener against an impressive Pakistan team.
Buttler, who reached the close on 66 not out in his first Test in 18 months, was still hoping that England can extend their lead of 56 to a target of around 200 for the tourists. But whatever happens, he believes a gem has been found in young Bess.
Of the 20-year-old’s 55 not out, which made him the third youngest England debutant to register a half-century after Denis Compton and Haseeb Hameed, Buttler said: “It was like Joe Root walked back out, with his back foot punches and cover drives. He’s got a great character and he really showed that.
“I had just left Somerset [in 2014] when he came up from the academy, so I hadn’t seen much of him. But I had heard a bit from the guys I keep in touch with. You wouldn’t think it’s his first game for England. He loves the competitive side of things, whether with bat or ball, and he has some really good attributes, which you need in international cricket.”
Root’s departure on the stroke of tea had left England staring into the abyss at 110 for six, still 68 runs behind. But as Bess went inside out to lace Mohammad Amir through extra cover off the final ball of the day, minutes after raising his bat to all corners of Lord’s, the beleaguered hosts at least had something to smile about.
“We were both trying to scrap hard for the team,” said Buttler. “The atmosphere was great at the end and in the dressing room as well. Joe had said it was a hard pitch to start on, so partnerships were going to be crucial . We managed to put together a good one and now we need to make it as big as we can.”
Buttler’s own 130-ball vigil was 10 balls more than an entire innings in his recent format of choice, having been parachuted into the side this summer as a specialist batsman at No 7 off the back of an impressive showing in the recent Indian Premier League.
Though he took Hasan Ali for three fours in a single over, this was a far cry from his record run of five half-centuries for Rajasthan Royals. Despite a rash drive in the first innings here, the 27-year-old has switched over to the demands of Test cricket impressively.
Buttler said: “It felt great. I was trying to use all my experience from every tournament, every championship game, whatever. The game is based around making good decisions ball after ball. I had spoken before the Test about trying not to worry about the colour of the ball and trying to keep a very good mind-set, which I have had for a few weeks.”
“I was feeling in good form and playing in front of big crowds out in India. Playing here it is a very similar feel, it’s a big occasion. It’s trying to pull from past experiences and show people I can play.”
Pakistan’s Asad Shafiq, who spoke for the tourists after the close, said: “I don’t think we did anything wrong in that final session. We should give credit to the English batsmen and especially the debutant. We will try to get them as soon as we can. We will not be happy to chase anything over 150.”
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