Nick Compton is in prime position for a Test debut in Ahmedabad after refusing to be distracted by his supposed shoot-out with Joe Root.
Captain Alastair Cook spoke before the drawn match against Mumbai A of a “cut-throat” duel between the two prospective new Test openers to decide who will partner him in the first match of the series.
But Compton, who yesterday followed his first-innings failure with an unbeaten 64, knew it would be folly to be sidetracked by such issues.
The 29-year-old simply kept his eye on the ball and mind on the job to give himself the best chance of cashing in on the run of form for Somerset last summer which put him in the frame to replace the retired Andrew Strauss at the top of the England order.
“I thought Joe played well in the first innings and looked good and batted for a good period of time,” he said of Root, who scored 28 and then 24 in his two chances to impress.
“It was good for me to kick on in this innings and get a score that I desperately needed. But as soon as you think about who is playing and who isn’t, you’re taking your eye off the ball.
“I’ve done that before, so I know it is about focusing on scoring runs — and that is something I’ve done consistently over the past year.”
Compton is not shy either of a cricketing cliche, if it is one that helps him reach his potential. “It is about getting back into those processes again,” he said, having started the tour with scores of nought and one.
“It wasn’t ideal. But I’m over that now, and I’ve been working really hard with the coaches behind the scenes to get ready.
“It is my first tour. I desperately want to do well. “But [there is a danger] if you try too hard.
“It is about getting that balance right. You want to be ambitious and be hungry and take your chance but at the same time you have to be calm and composed.
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“I think it is important you stay true to your processes. That is quite a cliche but it is something that keeps me grounded, and here my balance was better and my innings much more assured.”
England were today due to be joined by Surrey pace bowler Stuart Meaker, called in as cover for Steven Finn, after he received his visa to travel to India. The squad will then fly from Mumbai to Ahmedabad.
