Compton’s happy with life in the slow lane
NICK COMPTON will go into the final Test tomorrow determined to prove there is still a place for a tortoise in a modern world full of cricketing hares. Compton, too intense for some during his first spell with England, made a typically solid return in the first Test in Durban and played a big part in their thumping victory with 85 off 236 balls and then 49 from 116. Yet since England coach Trevor Bayliss reiterated his preference for two attacking players in his top three in the aftermath of that win — and Alastair Cook is always going to be the one of the three allowed to go at his own pace — Compton appears to have been caught in two minds and has looked frenetic at the crease. Now, with one game left in this successful series to cement his place, the South African-born Compton has vowed to remain true to the old-fashioned methods that have brought him success with Somerset and Middlesex. ‘I had a chat with Trevor but there was no suggestion he wanted me to change the way I play,’ said Compton yesterday when England returned to work in this Pretoria suburb. ‘He wanted to make it clear he was talking of an ideal world and that, hypothetically, it would be nice if two out of the top three were attacking. ‘I’ve been selected at No 3 to do what I do and he’s been very clear about me filling that role as best I can. I feel that if I were not contributing there might be a case to alter my style, but the way I’m going about things, I’m quite clear that if I do that properly I’ll be doing my job. ‘It would be nice to whack it like David Warner or AB de Villiers but having tried different things as a youngster I’m settled in what I do. I feel strongly I have qualities and attributes that might not be as glamorous as others’ but still have a big part to play.’ There were times in Johannesburg when Compton seemed to have resorted to a block-or-bash game, most notably when he tried to hit a six to win the third Test and holed out. ‘That’s just about me being tougher on myself,’ he insisted. ‘It was nothing to do with, “I need to bat quicker here”. I do feel I can play shots and be a bit more positive when the time is right but it’s not something I like to force. I perhaps just got a little bit ahead of myself.’ The series might be won but this ‘dead rubber’ at SuperSport Park remains a big game for Compton and Alex Hales, who has not done enough yet to convince Bayliss he has a long Test future. Whether Compton, at 32, has an extended future in this team will probably come down to, as he said yesterday, ‘the pressure I put on myself’. His intensity is clearly still there and twice yesterday he talked about wanting to ‘earn the respect of my team-mates’ as if he had not yet done that. The best way he can do that is to score a big century in this match on what is expected to be another lively pitch. Then he would be able to look forward to adding to the series wins of which he was a part in India and South Africa. England will decide today on who replaces the injured Steven Finn in Centurion: Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan or Mark Footitt. Woakes, who bowled better than his figures suggested in Durban, remains the favourite but Footitt bowled well in nets yesterday and could make his debut. Liam Plunkett, due to arrive at the weekend to replace Finn in the limited-overs squad, has a thigh injury and missed the Lions’ five-wicket win over Pakistan A in Dubai yesterday. He will be assessed before England decide whether he is fit to travel. South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who injured his knee while walking his dogs on the eve of the third Test, has proved his fitness and will return for the final Test.