Compo’s back in the fold at Lord’s

NICK Compton appeared for Middlesex for the first time since his self-imposed absence last week and not a moment too soon, according to wicket-keeper John Simpson.

Lord’s could house the County Championship trophy for the first time since 1993 if Middlesex, who currently lead Somerset by 13 points, hold their nerve over the final five games.

But Compton has missed much of the ride so far, having decided to take a break from cricket in June after scoring just 51 runs across five innings for England in the Test series with Sri Lanka.

The 33-year-old eased himself back into the Middlesex fold in a draw with Surrey – but Simpson knows just how vital a revitalised Compton could prove.

“It is fantastic to have Nick back, he had a bit of a dark time with England and he took that break,” he said.“As a squad we’ve thought to rally around him because he is an integral part of our team. I kept in contact with him quite a lot during that time, and let him know how important he is to us.

“At this stage of the season we need players like him back in the team – it’s great to have so many experienced guys around.

“If you told us we would be in this position at this stage at the start of the season, we’d have bitten your arm off.

“It’s such a wide-open race, there are four or five teams with a shot and everyone’s going to be pushing on. In my opinion another three wins would do it, and perhaps two – but there are so many permutations involved.”

While recent winners Yorkshire and Durham – who visit Lord’s on Saturday – are in the mix, there is trophywinning experience on Middlesex’s side.

Former Australia T20 skipper George Bailey scored his first century for the club against Surrey after mounting a matchsaving partnership with New Zealand veteran James Franklin.

And Simpson added:“George played fantastically to get his 100, and it’s always special to score one at Lord’s – he fully deserved it.

“To have that experience in the middle-order with James, and with me sandwiched in the middle, is really valuable for us.

“There’s not that many guys who can say they’ve been in this situation before when you are leading the Championship, but James has won things in New Zealand, and George has done so in Australia.”