Nick Compton, the under-pressure England top-order batsman, will take
an immediate break from cricket, Middlesex and England management
announced on Thursday (June 23). Nick, grandson of England batting great
Denis Compton, will take a leave of absence for an unspecified length
of time to allow himself to 'recharge' after a 'challenging start' to
his 2016 season.
"Middlesex County Cricket Club and the
England cricket team management have agreed for Nick Compton to be given
a period of time away from cricket. Following a challenging start to
the 2016 season, both physically and mentally, it has been agreed that
the best way forward is for Compton to spend some time away from the
game," Middlesex said in a statement.
Compton, who
himself had admitted recently that he was battling for a place in the
England Test team, managed only 51 runs in the three Tests against Sri
Lanka while batting at the number three position. The right-handed
batsman, who turns 33 on Sunday, has a modest average of 29 in 16 Tests.
His underwhelming performance in recent times, in both international
and first-class cricket, had put him in doubt for selection for the
four-Test series against Pakistan.
Lack of motivation
seems to be the issue that forced him to take a break. Angus Fraser, an
England selector and Middlesex managing director of cricket, backed
Compton's decision to take a break and believes that the time away from
cricket would do him a world of good.
"Nick sets
himself very high standards and makes a huge commitment to cricket,"
said 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 we
all know he is capable of producing. During this period Nick will
receive the full support of Middlesex CCC and the England cricket team
management."
Compton's decision to take some time off
could pave the way for an England recall for either Scott Borthwick or
Ian Bell for the Test series against Pakistan that starts on July 14 at
Lord's.
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