Published: Jun 26, 2016, 07:51 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 26, 2016, 07:51 PM (IST)
Born June 26, 1983, Nicholas Richard Denis Compton, who is widely known as Denis Compton, is an an elegant right-handed, top-order English batsman. Despite possessing solid technique, Compton hasn’t displayed a commanding show at international level. His style of play and monk-like temperament suggests that he is tailor-made for Test cricket. On his 33rd birthday, Suraj Choudhari lists down 15 lesser-known facts about the batsman, who failed to utilise his talent to the fullest:
1. Legend’s grandson: Compton happens to be the grandson of legendary English cricketer Denis Compton.
2. Iconic nephew: Compton is also the nephew of great Arsenal footballer and English First-Class cricketer Leslie Compton.
3. South African factor: Compton was born and brought up in Durban, South Africa. He shifted to England in his teenage years to pursue greater avenues in cricket.
4. Relationship: Compton was in a relationship with Kitty Spencer, who is the eldest daughter of Earl Spencer and niece of Princess Diana.
5. County cricket: Compton joined Middlesex and was a consistent run-scorer in the Under-19 squad. He, also, won the NBC Dennis Compton Award in 2001, which is conferred to the most promising Middlesex player for consistent performances in the U-19 and Second XI squad. Again, he won the award in 2002, making it two years on a trot.
6. England Under-19: Compton played for England U-19 squad in the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2002.
7. Made it to the England A side: Compton’s impressive run in 2006 saw him making it to the England A side for the tour of Bangladesh in 2006-07. His magnificent run also helped him claim the NBC Dennis Compton award for the third time in his career.
8. Moved to Somerset: In 2010, Compton moved to Somerset from Middlesex, a move which was propelled due to lack of opportunities in his former club.
9. Chiselled his path into the national side: Compton’s prolific run in the 2012 season, where he amassed 1,494 runs in First-Class cricket, helped him find a place in the national side. He was drafted into the side for the tour to India in 2012-2013.
10. Good starts in India: Compton was given the job to open the innings with Alastair Cook in tough Indian conditions. He stitched many key partnerships at the top and helped their side register a historic series win over India. Compton garnered 208 runs in four Tests at a decent average of 34.66, which also included a tenacious half-century.
11. Decent run in New Zealand: Riding on his performances in India, Compton earned a call to New Zealand tour, where he smashed his first Test century at Wellington and gave the impression that he was made for the big stage.
12. Dropped: Compton, after a magnificent run in New Zealand, had an awful run against the same opposition at home. His bare runs column saw him being axed from the national side.
13. Call back: England struggled to find a reliable opening partner for Alastair Cook. In order to address this woe, they called back Compton in the Test squad for the tour of South Africa in November 2015. He made his comeback after a gap of almost two years.
14. Immediate break: Compton took an indefinite break from cricket, as his county side Middlesex announced on Thursday. He had a terrible time in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka, where he collected just 51 runs in three Tests at a mere average of 12.75. The break was given to help him refresh and regain his form.
(Suraj Choudhari, an avid cricket follower who plays the sport at club level, is a staffer with CricLife)
