COMPTON CAN TAKE HOME COMFORTS
TREVOR BAYLISS is worried by Nick Compton’s lack of runs but has backed him to start scoring again at his home ground of Lord’s ahead of next week’s third and final Test against Sri Lanka. Compton’s unbeaten 22, as England knocked off a small target on Monday to secure a nine-wicket win over the Sri Lankans at Chester-le-Street, eased some of the pressure on his place at No 3. But a poor game at Lord’s could spell the end of the Middlesex stalwart’s international career after a string of low scores. ‘It would be a concern for him that he’s not scoring as many runs as he would like,’ said Bayliss. ‘Whenever anyone’s a little out of form, there’s always that bit of a worry. But he handled a short second innings pretty well and looked like he hit the ball in the middle of the bat. ‘Next week’s Test is on his home ground, so we all want him to score runs and be a part of this team going forward.’ Despite that, England are keeping a close eye on potential top-order batsmen in county cricket, and Bayliss name-checked Essex’s Tom Westley, the Durham pair of Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick, Middlesex opener Sam Robson and Kent’s Daniel Bell-Drummond. The selectors have also been impressed by Worcestershire’s 20-year-old No 3 Joe Clarke, and ECB batting coach Graham Thorpe believes Sam Billings can make the grade from white-ball internationals to the Test arena. Bayliss said: ‘Going into Lord’s with the same team allows those guys to keep scoring runs over the next two or three county matches, if we need to make any changes.’ The England coach was also supportive of struggling fast bowler Steven Finn, whose four wickets in this series at 34 apiece have paled next to the contributions of Jimmy Anderson — who yesterday moved to the top of the Test rankings for the first time — and Stuart Broad. ‘I don’t think there’s any one thing you can tell anyone who’s out of form or out of rhythm,’ said Bayliss. ‘It’s about giving them as much support as possible. ‘In the two Tests Steven played in South Africa he was probably our best pace bowler. We know how devastating he can be.’ Meanwhile, Sri Lankan seamer Shaminda Eranga has been reported by match officials for his action following the second Test. Eranga must be tested within 14 days by the International Cricket Council, but can play in that time. He conceded 100 runs and was without a wicket in the first innings and bowled only one over in the second innings. He has taken 53 wickets at 37.47 in 18 Tests since his debut in 2011.