Compton future in doubt as he takes ‘complete break’
Nick compton’s cricketing future looks uncertain after he was given a complete break from the game following a ‘challenging start to the season both physically and mentally’ with middlesex and England.
compton, a controversial choice for England’s test series against sri Lanka, has decided to step away and consider what comes next for him after accepting that his international career is over.
the intensity that seemed to cost compton his place in the 2013 Ashes returned as he struggled to make the grade with England despite a promising start to the south African tour last winter in Durban after his surprise recall.
now, two days short of his 33rd birthday, compton has decided to take a break from all cricket with the blessing of England and middlesex, having failed to score a half century for club or country since hitting 85 in the first test against south Africa.
‘nick sets himself very high standards and makes a huge commitment to cricket,’ said middlesex director of cricket and England selector Angus Fraser. ‘We all believe that some time away from the game now will allow him to refresh, recharge and return to play the sort of cricket he’s capable of.’
Whether compton ever returns to the professional game, however, must be in question. there were suggestions he was considering his future even before his shock selection for the south Africa tour and speculation that he could throw in the towel returned as he failed to make any sort of impact in three tests this season against sri Lanka.
the grandson of the great Denis compton is believed to be considering a future in the media, both in cricket and outside the game.
the bottom line is that he knows he will not be selected to face pakistan next month after 16 tests in two spells left him with an average under 29. But he remains a force at county level and it is clear middlesex will welcome him back as and when he feels fit and motivated for the daily grind of the circuit. the question is, does he want that any more?
scott Borthwick appears to be favourite to replace compton against pakistan in the first test at Lord’s but England would look stronger with the inclusion of the gifted Jos Buttler as keeper-batsman, with Jonny Bairstow moving up the order.
Buttler faces sri Lanka in the second match of the 50- over Royal London series at Edgbaston today, knowing it can be the perfect audition for his return to the test side. He showed in rescuing England from 82 for six at trent Bridge on tuesday with a perfectly-timed 93 to earn a tie in the first international that he has added maturity to his undoubted flair and innovation.
‘Yes of course,’ said Buttler when asked if his return with the gloves to the test team, with Bairstow playing as a specialist batsman, is viable.
‘But i have to be playing well for that to be an option. i got dropped from the test side for a reason but i’m ambitious to get back in and the only way i can do that is by performing. i want to give the selectors another choice.’
Buttler spent the start of the season in tthe indian premier League and has yet tto play any red-ball cricket this year. But S Sportsmail understands that is not necessarily an obstacle to his selection for that first test against pakistan.
‘All i can do is try to play as well as i can and score as many runs as i can,’ said Buttler, who lost his test place for the final test against pakistan last winter after a run of low scores.
it was at Edgbaston last year that England, after a disastrous World cup, smashed 408 against new Zealand, Buttler hitting 129 off just 77 balls, and began what has become a one-day revolution.
‘there’s expectation on us to play that way every time now but that shouldn’t change our mentality,’ he added.
‘Let’s go out and give ourselves the best chance to do just that.’