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[The 22nd Yard]

Good to see him back in the runs after all the stick, opening up as well.

[MD2812]

Glad he's back in the runs,
I worry about him in the conditions though. He did score 2 hundreds in NZ but they were pitches designed to get 5 days out of them.

I feel sorry for compton because before this series all the pressure was put onto him, rather than the pressure coming after bad performances.

Root isn't ready for the new ball, he proved this in the last test series. If I'm right he got "2 golden ducks" when NZ took the new ball?

[Manormanic]

The case for Compton seems to be based on three points:
1. he made loads of county runs last year
2. he has made two test tons
3. he should be "given a chance"

The response is a complex one, and in some ways is, I admit, a little tough on the guy.  His two test tons were made on pitches which the Kiwis admitted had been wrung of any hint of life, and were excruciating to watch even then - noone can ever take those runs away from him, but they were runs that were gifted to any batsman with solid concentration, which we always knew was his forte.

Other than that, how has he performed in 9 tests?  I have to say, he has been pretty whack.  He managed to get stuck in a big ball of going nowhere in India, and when finally faced with pitches with a bit of zip in them in his eighth game was quickly found out.  And if Wagner, Southee and Boult are finding him out, you can bet your life that Australia's much better seam attack will do the same.  So, for me, best to cull him now - especially as Root, a natural opener, looks to the Manor born.

Now, I don't actually think that that locks Bairstow on for the six slot in the Ashes.  I guess a few people will see me write that and start, but I am not certain that he is getting enough game time to be ready and I might personally look to a third party for the Ashes (possibly even Adil Rashid...)

On the wider Compton point, this evidences why players will probably never again be picked on the basis of stellar county form.  At 29, he has not adapted to the extra consistent pace of ball and is too far along the path to try!

[uknsaunders]

Compton doesn't look test class to me, Root does and even Bairstow is more convincing. Compton may be a fine player at County level but it wouldn't be the first time a step up has found somebody out. Remember Ravi Bop and his 3 tons v Windies in 2009? Looked what happened after.

[Manormanic]

Compton doesn't look test class to me, Root does and even Bairstow is more convincing. Compton may be a fine player at County level but it wouldn't be the first time a step up has found somebody out. Remember Ravi Bop and his 3 tons v Windies in 2009? Looked what happened after.

or Anthony McGrath looking the doggies danglers against the Zimboks.

Ed Smith.

John Morris.

Rob Bailey.

There are loads!

[The_Bird]

Robert Key

Tim Ambrose

[Nickauger]

Don't think you can add Key to that list. He went from 200* to dropped. He didn't get the chance to become mediocre!

[uknsaunders]

Key got 200* against the Windies on a featherbed. Apart from one knock in SA I don't think he did much else. That's the point with Compton, for all the determination he has shown in India/NZ, he was batting on mainly featherbeds against average attacks. India was certainly more of a challenge and he didn't set the world alight.

Nobody wants an England player to fail but can't help thinking Bairstow's knocks at Lords against Steyn and co carry more weight. Root and KP are certain to play.

[Tail Ender]

Compton very much seems to me like and English Ed Cowan - a very solid and good first-class batsman, but maybe not quite in the top bracket of players. (awaits the barrage of abuse and posts saying Cowan is sh!te)

[ajmw89]

Compton very much seems to me like and English Ed Cowan - a very solid and good first-class batsman, but maybe not quite in the top bracket of players. (awaits the barrage of abuse and posts saying Cowan is sh!te)

I'd agree with you on that.  They do a decent enough job at Shield/CC level but not quite good enough for tests.  Cowan is all Aus really have at the moemnt, whereas England could have a look at say Carberry or bump the messiah up to open from 5/6

[langer17]

I'd agree with you on that.  They do a decent enough job at Shield/CC level but not quite good enough for tests.  Cowan is all Aus really have at the moemnt, whereas England could have a look at say Carberry or bump the messiah up to open from 5/6

Mr. Rogers is in fantastic form at the moment.

[Manormanic]

Compton very much seems to me like and English Ed Cowan - a very solid and good first-class batsman, but maybe not quite in the top bracket of players. (awaits the barrage of abuse and posts saying Cowan is sh!te)

No, I'd say that you've pretty much hit the nail on teh head there - they are both players who are okayish at the top level, but never going to really excel.  Or, put another way, players who would not make the team in times of clover.

[ajmw89]

Mr. Rogers is in fantastic form at the moment.

Yes he is, but he'd only be a short term selection at best.  He's what, 37?
Cowan and Compton are both 30/31 ish so are more short-medium term selections.  Carberry could also be seen in that bracket.
Long term, I do see Root opening, but he should be making more of the opportunities he gets whenever the 2nd new ball is taken

[Manormanic]

Long term, I do see Root opening, but he should be making more of the opportunities he gets whenever the 2nd new ball is taken

The two don't necesarily correlate; after all, a poor shot/getting out tot he second new ball when set is very different to coming in and building an innings against it (which he has done throughout his career for Yorkshire)

[ajmw89]

Being a set batsman means you also have the responsibility not to get out to the 2nd new ball