Compton desperate for big score in Durham

Omnisports

May 25, 2016 9:55 AM

After a duck in the first Test, Nick Compton is desperate to get back in the runs against Sri Lanka in Durham.

___5076451___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5076451___2016___5___26___9___nickcompton-cropped_6vtvq1ye3mc91hy3jv0scolmm

Nick Compton knows he needs a big performance against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street to ensure he retains his place in England's top order.

Following a two-and-a-half year absence, Compton returned to the Test side in December for the tour to South Africa and scored 245 runs in four matches.

However, he did not fare so well on the opening match of the Sri Lanka series at Headingley last week when he was dismissed without scoring - the number three caught at first slip of Dushmantha Chameera.

Ahead of the second Test, which starts on Friday, Compton knows he needs to get back into the runs quickly to end any speculation about his international future.

"If you don't play well enough, you get dropped. That's fundamentally how it works," the 32-year-old said.

"You've got to score runs. I got nought at Headingley, I did OK in South Africa.

"I want to score runs but I want to do it because I want to feel good. I want to feel good about my batting and I want to feel good about contributing to the England team. Those are my driving motivations.

"I would love to have got some runs in the first Test. That was my plan. I wasn't quite on it. It was disappointing but it was good to win in that fashion."

Compton admits his style of play is not as exciting as all-rounder Ben Stokes - who will miss the rest of the Sri Lanka series after undergoing knee surgery - or the in-form Jonny Bairstow, but is confident his role remains important to the balance of England's batting order.

He added: "The way the game is going, I think people are drawn towards a certain glamour and some players provide that and people want to see more of that.

"We're in the entertainment business, it's about getting bums on seats, and I suppose watching Ben Stokes' 200 is better than watching Compton's 80.

"If I'm honest with you, if I was sitting on the couch I'd rather watch Stokes' 200. I'm by no means unaware of that.

"The way that I play doesn't always look that pretty, but I don't want to change my style. I know deep inside me there's a player in here who could change all those opinions very quickly."

Omnisports

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!