Sunday 12 June 2016 13:24, UK
Michael Atherton expects Nick Compton to be dropped for the forthcoming series with Pakistan after another failure with the bat for the Middlesex right-hander.
Compton was nicked out for 1 in England's first innings and could only muster 19 in England's second innings, before edging Shaminda Eranga to Dinesh Chandimal behind the stumps.
Despite rebuilding his international career during the winter tour to South Africa, Compton has averaged 28.70 in 30 innings' for England, while his highest score for Middlesex this season has been just 44.
"It's a bit of déjà vu in the dismissal, similar to most in the series - pushing forward, a little late, and on the heels of his feet," Atherton told Sky Sports.
"He just hasn't got going this season, he hasn't got a fifty in any form of cricket this year. He had his opportunity still, when many judges thought he wouldn't get picked for this series.
"He's had three games, but not taken that opportunity, and I'm afraid I think that will be it for Nick Compton. Somebody else will be given a go against Pakistan.
"It's a cruel game at times, but you have to perform, otherwise someone else will come in and perform in place of you. That is the brutal truth of sport.
"His career average of 28.70, and particularly his average of 12.75, at the age he is, 32, it's time for other players like Scott Borthwick, who will be pushing for a place now.
"The series victory in South Africa bought him time, but it only buys you so much time, and at the end of the day you have to perform. He's had that opportunity, but has just not got going this year."
It has also been a frustrating Test match for Hampshire skipper James Vince.
The 25-year-old managed just 10 before being clean bowled by Nuwan Pradeep in England's first innings and was dismissed the same way by the Sri Lankan right-hander in the second innings for a first-ball duck.
"The jury is out [on Vince] but he'll play against Pakistan," Atherton said.
"What we know happens though is that Compton will go, someone else comes in and then the pressure transfers to someone like James Vince.
"He'll get his opportunity against Pakistan, but he needs runs and there will be pressure to perform."
Watch live coverage of day four of the third Investec Test from 10.30am on Sunday on Sky Sports 2. Before then, catch highlights from day three at 10pm on Sky Sports 2, followed by The Verdict - with Charles Colvile, Bob Willis, Jonathan Trott and Russel Arnold - at 11pm on the same channel.
