Strauss' successor at the top of the order – Nick Compton or Joe Root? – Part I
With England already struggling in the Test format of the game, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Lumb-c1981 Root.
With the crucial India Test series around the corner, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) selectors must be contemplating over who should pad up alongside Cook to provide the side with stable starts, in the unfavourable sub-continent conditions.
Both Compton and Root were called up into the squad for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806 in the squad. At that time it was being anticipated that one of the two young guns would open the innings while the other would provide stability in the middle. But with Pietersen returning to the ranks, after having reached an agreement with his adopted board, the duo may find it hard to stake a claim at the top of the order.
Let’s take a closer look at the contenders and try to figure out who could be most effective in the current scenario.
Nick Compton
Compton, 29, plays county cricket for Somerset. To date he has played 96 First class matches compiling 6254 runs at an impressive average of 44.35. The tally is studded with 16 centuries and 27 half centuries, including a career best of 254 not out.
The Natal-born top-order batsman has built for the longer form of the game, and has the temperament and technique to stay at the crease for long periods. Coming off from a famous sporting family, grandson of former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 great Denis Compton, Nick is known for his work ethic.
His form in 2011/12 has been phenomenal, particularly in the recently concluded county season. Despite missing the start of the 2012 county season due to back issues, the Somerset top-order batsman finished the LV = County Championship Division One as the leading run scorer, compiling a tally of 1191 runs at an outrageous average of 99.25. Compton played 18 championship innings this season, 11 less than his nearest http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Middlesex-c817, who finished the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer with 1086 runs at an average of 40.22.
The gangling Natal-born right-hander smashed four centuries and seven fifties in his 11 Division matches. He was the only batsman to score a double ton (204 not out) in this year’s championship. His most recent knock for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Worcestershire-c866, which saw his side winning the match by an innings and 148 runs.
Compton's age is something that can affect his chances negatively. The right-hander would be 30 by the time England take on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in the Ashes series next year. So the ECB selectors might not consider him a long-term replacement for Strauss. Besides that, a failure to impress could damage his chances of getting a second opportunity, especially if his competitor Root, who is eight years junior to him, manages to make an impact.
Another con is his relatively slow strike rate (48.20). His ability to hit the ball after taking a considerable time leaves him in a danger of getting bogged down on slow Indian tracks, with an ample amount of turn. However, it can be taken in a positive sense that the Somerset player is unlikely to play rash shots in unfavourable conditions.
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