Trevor Bayliss delighted with Nick Compton's return to Test cricket

England coach Trevor Bayliss believes Nick Compton has justified his decision to recall the batsman to the England Test team.

Compton marked his first Test appearance since May 2013 with a crucial 85 in the first innings of the first Test against South Africa before following that up with 49 as England pushed for a 241-run win.

The 32-year-old's absence from the team has been the subject of much speculation, with suggestions of a personality clash with former team director Andy Flower, but Bayliss was happy to come to the job with a clean slate. 

"I'd heard some of the rumours but from my point of view anyone is allowed to make a mistake or improve, I suppose, if that's what he needed to do," he said.

"I'm not going to judge anyone on what went before. Everyone is allowed to get better and so far around the squad Nick has been fantastic, fitted in really well with the squad, and obviously batted very well.

"He wants to... not make amends... but show he's a better player than before and come back, do well and play a lot more Test cricket."

Bayliss admits he would prefer to have a more attacking top three, but says Compton's methodical style is the best England have at the moment and he is happy for the more aggressive middle-order to offer the balance.

"Ultimately I'd like to see two of the top three guys as attacking-style batters," he said.

"I just think if you have a couple of those guys up at the top it just puts pressure on the opposition a lot easier.

"But if you haven't got them, you pick the best available. What Nick has proven at the moment is that, of the guys around, he's in our best top three.

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"In Test cricket there is a role for someone who is able to get through those tough periods and make hundreds. We'd take that with our team at the moment, a lot of guys that play shots in the middle order.

"If those guys can bat around Cook and Compton that could be the way ahead for us."