England Test hopeful Nick Compton relieved after half-century against Mumbai A

Nick Compton: Admitted he 'desperately needed' good score against Mumbai A

This innings was just nice to kick on and probably get a score that I did desperately need.

Nick Compton
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Nick Compton says his half-century against Mumbai A has given him fresh confidence ahead of a potential call-up to the England Test side.

The opener, who is bidding to replace Andrew Strauss in the batting line-up, made a steady 64 from 162 balls as the three-day tour match ended in a draw.

Joe Root, his main rival for the spot, made 28 and 24 in his two innings at the Dr DY Patil Sports Stadium.

Compton made just one in the first innings to follow on from his duck in the previous tour match but was relieved to turn things around with a solid fifty.

"As a squad everyone is trying to vie for that place and I would be lying if I said that I didn't have an eye on that opening spot and take a bit of confidence from getting the nod in the first game," he said.

"So obviously that probably was pretty disappointing not to have taken that initial chance. This innings was just nice to kick on and probably get a score that I did desperately need.

Important

"For me it was just very important to get back into that mindset of scoring runs, spending time in the middle.

"Today I just felt that my balance was lot better, my leaving was lot more assured and I played the balls I had to."Compton also had some encouraging words for Yorkshire youngster Root, who he believes can improve once he gets used to the conditions on the sub-continent.

He added: "I thought Joe played well in the first innings, looked good and batted for good period of time.

"It's not been the ideal start I must be honest but I think sometimes you just got to give yourselves a bit of time. It does take time, it's a new country, a new place to play with a new bunch of team mates.

"I think to me the most important thing is to spend some time out in the middle and get used to the conditions."

England's final tune-up contest against Haryana in Ahmedabad starts on Thursday before the first of a four-Test series begins on November 15.

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