I’ll keep eye on the ball
Opener Ben Compton admits he won’t have too much time to reflect on his record-breaking start to Kent’s summer yet as the matches keep coming thick and fast.
Compton entered the history books during Kent’s 10-wicket loss to Lancashire in Division 1 of the County Championship with a remarkable personal performance. He became the first Kent player to score centuries in each of his first three innings for the club - Martin van Jaarsveld having done so in his first two innings in 2005.
Compton also came agonisingly close to carrying his bat through both innings. He was the last man out in the second innings, harshly adjudged lbw off George Balderson for 115.
But with Kent back in action in the County Championship at Canterbury against Hampshire from today (Thursday), there is little time for him to reflect on his achievements.
“I’m just going to try and rest well and recover well because the games come pretty thick and fast so we can’t really linger too much on what’s happened before,” he said.
“You have got to look ahead. We have Hampshire next so we’ve got to try and put our best foot forward for that.”
Compton, who comes from the same cricketing family as former England openers Nick and Denis, joined Kent last year with an impressive 2nd XI average.
The 28-year-old only has a handful of first-class appearances to his name and it means his rise may appear to some to have come from almost nowhere.
“It may appear that way to the outside world but it’s certainly something I’ve worked extremely hard for a long time to get this opportunity here,” he said.
“That hasn’t come overnight and the work I’ve put into my game hasn’t come overnight.
“I can understand how it might come across but we have played on two good batting wickets. We have had glorious sunshine and pretty good batting conditions.
“Essentially, I’ve just tried to make hay while the sun shines, and to try and get myself in.
“It’s a funny old game. We could be away in a couple of weeks and get a green seamer and there’ll be a couple of low scores.
“The games are coming thick and fast so you have just got to look at what’s in front of you and I haven’t looked beyond that.”