Compton on the Brink – But who can Replace Him?

Following his dismissal for one in the final Test against Sri Lanka, it looks like Nick Compton’s time in the England side could be coming to an end. Since his recall to the side at the back end of last year, Compton has failed to score a century and has just two half centuries to his name.

Compton has had a fine County career with both Middlesex and Somerset, but it has never really worked out for him in international cricket. During his last spell in the side, he opened alongside Alistair Cook, and did well in tricky tours of India and New Zealand, scoring two centuries. However, his return to the side at No.3 hasn’t worked out, and he looks set to join the likes of Graeme Hick and Mark Ramprakash in being solid County players who failed to adjust to the step-up ton international cricket.

While Compton may still get one more chance to prove himself, talk is already turning to who will replace him. Gary Ballance has a tremendous Test record batting at three, averaging nearly 50, but was dropped midway through last year’s Ashes series. While he has toured with England since, he is yet to return to the side since being dropped, ad his form for Yorkshire this year suggests that he hasn’t corrected his technical problems which led to his omission from the Test side nearly twelve months ago.

The outstanding candidate seems to be Scott Borthwick, who has played for England once before, in the nightmarish 5-0 Ashes whitewash of 2013/14. Back then he was a spinner who could bat, but since then he has transformed his game and is now very much a batsman first, and a bowler second. He has been in excellent form for Durham this season and Trevor Bayliss has already admitted he is close to being called-up. With a tour of India coming up this winter, having a number three who can bowl spin could prove to invaluable for England, which may well play further into his favour.

Ian Bell was discarded by England after their defeat to Pakistan in last year’s series, but a return against the same opposition cannot be completely ruled out. While he hasn’t set the Championship alight with Warwickshire, he is still though to be in the selectors thoughts, with Mick Newell having watched the classy batsman several times already this season.

Joe Root is another option to bat at three, although England’s talisman has spoken of his desire to remain at four, while James Vince will have to impress at five before being given the chance to move up the order.

If Compton is dropped and the selectors decide to make a change, the selectors will want to give the new man all of the four match series against Pakistan to prove themselves, ahead of the daunting challenge of facing India in their own backyard. However, if Compton does shine in the second innings it will give the England management a real dilemma, with many of the opinion that Compton should have been dropped before the Sri Lanka series. Whether they select someone from County cricket, promote Root or Vince, or stick with Compton, the England selectors will be eager to make the right decision as the team look to climb the rankings.