Steven Finn delighted Nick Compton has held on to England spot

England bowler feels Middlesex team-mate deserves another crack

Nick Compton will hold on to his place in the England batting order when they face Sri Lanka (Getty)

The retention of Nick Compton in the England side for the first Investec Test against Sri Lanka next week at Headingley has had a lukewarm reception in most quarters.

The No 3 batsman returned to the international fold for the winter tour of South Africa and while his record (an average of 30) was not disastrous neither was it glittering. But it is not so much the volume or runs as the snailesque two runs an over pace that he gathers them at that his detractors throw at him. That watchfulness actually contributed to England’s series win against what was the No 1 ranked side in the world: his 236-ball 85 in the first innings of the first Test in Durban set up victory. However, he finished the tour seeking to impose himself and looking ill at ease at the crease.

His England and Middlesex team-mate dismisses the critics and is delighted Compton has retained his spot. “Compo as a guy is a lot more level now than he was the last time he was in the England team which is excellent,” Finn said. “As a team mate of his I've not seen a difference or a dip in him in the last few weeks even though there has been a bit of speculation [about his place].

“I think ultimately the right decision has been made. He batted at 3 in a successful tour against at the time the No 1 Test team in the world in their own conditions and averaged 30 which I don't think is a disgrace at all. And he played for the team a lot. He set up innings and let the guys who bat at 4, 5, 6, 7 to come in and play in the aggressive manner that they did. The right call has been made.”

Compton has had a poor start to the Championship season with a top score of just 44 but Finn sees beyond the scoreboard. “Even though he hasn’t got a whole heap of runs in the Championship this summer when he has batted he has looked good,” the pace bowler said. “He’s been unlucky a couple of times, a couple of not great decisions. On the whole he’s in good order going into this series. I’m very pleased he’s been picked.”