Compton: I need to improve in NZ

By Richard Latham

Nick Compton has been back at Taunton this week reflecting on his England performances in India and looking forward to the forthcoming Test series in New Zealand.
 
The Somerset batsman made a good impression on his Test baptism in the sub-continent, forming a reliable opening partnership with England captain Alastair Cook, but was not entirely satisfied.
 
He said: "The team won the series, which was the most important thing. It was disappointing for me, as somebody who puts a great price on his wicket and the importance of batting for long periods, that on a few occasions I got out in the 30s, which is not something I've done much in the last couple of years.
 
“On the positive side, I spent a lot of time batting and stopped the Indian attack from getting early wickets. The way Alastair Cook performed took the game away from them. I did play an important role for the team, but individually I could have been better. It was tough going into the Test environment, but India is a great place to be and that taster has made me want it even more.”

Compton sets off on his travels against at the start of next week, this time to New Zealand where the first of the three-match Test series against the Black Caps gets underway on March 6 in Dunedin.
 
“It’s quite clear that this is a big series for me and I’m not looking any further than the games against New Zealand," he added. "I have a warm-up match then hopefully I will get picked for the first Test. I am taking it one game at a time and not looking ahead to the rest of the year.

“I think it will be quite tough playing against New Zealand in the conditions there, but if I can play anything like I did this summer then hopefully I can get a couple of good scores and cement my place in the side.

“I have played in New Zealand before with England Under-19s and it’s very special. It’s another international tour that I am really looking forward to and somewhere we have the opportunity to do well.”

When Compton returns from New Zealand it will be straight into Somerset's build-up for the 2013 season. “Every new season is exciting and last year we came second in the Championship," he said. "The club’s motivation is to try to win something so I am looking forward to getting back involved and hopefully preparing for an Ashes series as well, although I’m not really looking that far ahead.”

Date: 15/02/2013 11:03:55 by Richard Latham
In: Today | Somerset | England |