A very personal decision_ Nick Compton moves on from Somerset after five years - The Incider
1. 9/9/2015 A very personal decision: Nick Compton moves on from Somerset after five years The Incider
http://www.theincider.co.uk/averypersonaldecisionnickcomptonmovesonfromsomersetafterfiveyears/ 1/5
BY JEREMY BLACKMORE NOVEMBER 15, 2014 BLOGS
A very personal decision: Nick Compton moves on from Somerset
after five years
The news that Nick Compton has left Somerset by mutual consent came
as a bolt from the blue to many fans who were starting to look forward
to a more successful season in 2015 under a new Director of Cricket.
Compton has been very much a lynchpin of the side over the past five
years with his international experience and dependable, often prolific
run scoring.
So the news that he has decided to “re-locate more permanently” to his
base in South-West London amid fears of compromising his
performance is a huge blow.
Here in a special report, Jeremy Blackmore traces the background to yesterday’s announcement.
It’s not hard to draw a direct line back to the period last summer when England cruelly jettisoned Nick
Compton on the eve of the Ashes as the moment when the seeds for his departure from Somerset were
sown.
Compton had done everything asked of him. He was selected as Andrew Strauss’s replacement at the top
of the England batting order, following a remarkable 2012 season for Somerset which saw him named as
one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the year.
He forged a solid, if unspectacular, opening
partnership with Alistair Cook during England’s first
successful tour of India in almost 30 years. He then
proceeded to flourish down under, scoring back-to-
back Test hundreds in New Zealand which seemed
certain to cement his place for the following
summer’s Ashes.
But, in perhaps a sign of the culture that pervaded
the England dressing room last summer, Compton
found himself mercilessly dropped following one
poor test against New Zealand at Headingley (while
injured), with little or no explanation. Told to go
back to his county and score runs, Compton did
just that, even making a solid 79 while on
temporary loan to Worcestershire for their tour
match against the Aussies – a game where he must have wanted to be anywhere else.
Cast aside, Compton carried on doing the only thing he knew how, making big scores for Somerset. But it
was clear from interviews that he was still reeling at the decision. “I don’t feel that I had a fair crack of the
whip,” he told journalists after the Worcestershire game. Despite the set-back he continued to play an
important part in helping Somerset avoid relegation – and signed a new contract, despite an approach from
Warwickshire and rumours of interest from Surrey.
Yet another 1,000 runs in the championship at 49.8 was still not enough for the selectors to reward him
with a winter tour spot as he missed out on a second Ashes series in succession. Michael Carberry was
2. 9/9/2015 A very personal decision: Nick Compton moves on from Somerset after five years The Incider
http://www.theincider.co.uk/averypersonaldecisionnickcomptonmovesonfromsomersetafterfiveyears/ 2/5
instead chosen as Cook’s opening partner, with no satisfactory answer given by the selectors for their
decision to leave Compton behind.
Hurt by a second rejection, Nick spent the
winter far away from the county game, in the
unlikely setting of inner-city Los Angeles,
home of Compton Cricket Club. Working with
kids who might otherwise turn to drugs or
gangs, Nick found himself a world away from
England’s calamitous tour to Australia – a
series where his out-of-favour ability to
occupy the crease could have proved a big
asset. He also spent some time trekking to
Peru’s lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu,
which allowed him time to work through his
disappointment and “make peace with it”. He
also continued to support Bristol-based Frank
Water, one of his favourite charities.
This all seemed to give him a fresh sense of
perspective as 2014 dawned, but despite
starting the season with a match-saving 100
against Durham, he had a slightly disappointing year by his high standards. He still managed to make 961
runs in 16 county championship matches with two centuries, but failed to convert other scores into three
figures. His 156 in the final match of the season against champions Yorkshire at Headingley though was a
magnificent effort against the country’s leading seam attack. It was another firm knock on the door for the
England selectors. That he then failed to be picked for the Lions tour to South Africa after Christmas seems
to have been the final straw.
With his boyhood dream dashed, it seems he has become disillusioned and needs time away from the
game to consider his options and renew his career closer to his London home.
During his five years at Somerset, Nick has been popular with the fans, always happy to sign autographs
and pose for photographs. His “Compo’s Clips” series showcasing life behind the scenes at the County
Ground – as well as Nick’s burgeoning media skills – has been a YouTube hit.
But in between games, Nick has always spent as much time
as he can back home with friends and family in London.
While his career was moving forward, that long commute
was clearly a sacrifice he was prepared to make.
But he has been forced to revaluate and he spoke
yesterday of his gratitude at Somerset’s understanding of
his need to balance his personal and professional life. He
also hinted that the commuting and pull of friends and
family had led to a slight drop in form this year.
He told The Daily Telegraph: “It has been hard for me
commuting in 2014, and my performance dropped a little
despite getting a thousand runs and leading the averages.
“With a new relationship and other professional
opportunities outside of cricket, I have decided to move permanently to the Richmond area where I have
always been based.”
Ironically the move could see him return to Middlesex – the club where he started his career – either to
3. 9/9/2015 A very personal decision: Nick Compton moves on from Somerset after five years The Incider
http://www.theincider.co.uk/averypersonaldecisionnickcomptonmovesonfromsomersetafterfiveyears/ 3/5
« Compo leaves Somerset Cider Watch: Kiesy’s Warriors record their first
win »
replace Chris Rogers who will be on tour with Australia for the Ashes next summer or Sam Robson who,
unconvincingly, has filled Compton’s and Carberry’s shoes for England this summer.
Yet Rogers may also be an inspiration for the 31-year-old Compton. It was through scoring a wealth of runs
for Middlesex which helped give Rogers, who seemed resigned to being a one-Test wonder, another shot at
a Test career in his mid-thirties. Rogers has since played a further 15 Tests including successive Ashes
series.
Nick told The Telegraph: “I do intend to play cricket, and try to balance off cricket with media work, with a
view to combining the two as you move into the next phase of my professional life.
“Bearing in mind England seem to have overlooked me for further opportunity. Missing out on the Lions
squad was confirmation that as of this moment, I am not in their plans.
“Therefore, I need to plan ahead and look at life beyond cricket as well as wanting to still fulfil my potential
as a cricketer. I intend to make the transition to life beyond cricket smoother by making this move back to
London and also to prioritise my personal life.
“I appreciate Somerset’s understanding of this, much as I would have wanted to keep playing for them, the
time has come to explore other avenues as well as my dedication to excellence in cricket.”
Nick Compton’s departure is a big loss for Somerset going into 2015, despite word that Somerset are about
to announce new signings next week. The sheer weight of his run scoring over the past four seasons in
particular will be hard to replace. There is no doubt about that.
But this is a very personal decision by Nick Compton and one he won’t have taken without a great deal of
thought.
We wish him all the very best as he moves into the next stage of his life. Thanks Compo.
BOOKMARK THE PERMALINK.
Somerset CCC
News 24/7
Yorkshire v Somerset LVCC: Hurt pride and sensibilities for Somerset at the hands of champions Yorkshire
Yorkshire v Somerset LVCC: Cider men hope to turn the tables on the Tykes
Somerset v Worcestershire LVCC: Washout little comfort for Somerset
INDEPENDENT SOMERSET CCC
LATEST POSTS
4. 9/9/2015 A very personal decision: Nick Compton moves on from Somerset after five years The Incider
http://www.theincider.co.uk/averypersonaldecisionnickcomptonmovesonfromsomersetafterfiveyears/ 4/5
Somerset Seconds in semi-final action against Durham at Taunton Vale tomorrow (Friday)
Trescothick and Allenby support third Tom Maynard Trust Day at St Fagans Cricket Club
Trescothick, Waller, Leach & Davey sign new
Somerset contracts ‐ full details on The Incider later!
The In‐Cider
@The_InCider
BREAKING: Somerset reduce Hants from 132‐2 at
lunch to 240 all out at tea. A record 7 catches for
Ronchi, 4 wkts for JOverton, 3 for Allenby
The In‐Cider
@The_InCider
Expand
I've signed. Now it's your turn Don't tinker with the
County Championship twitter.com/The_InCider/st…
Retweeted by The In‐Cider
Tim Symes
@tdsymes1
Expand
#LVCC: Hurt pride & sensibilities for Somerset at
hands of champs Yorks:
thein‐cider.co.uk/yorkshire‐v‐so… ‐
@somersetbagpuss reports from Headingley
The In‐Cider
@The_InCider
Expand
Youth awards this evening. From 6pm. BBQ and bar.
All members welcome. #thefuture
pic.twitter.com/EsG6JYv9x0
Retweeted by The In‐Cider
Wembdon Cricket Club
@wembdoncc
Expand
4h
4h
5 Sep
5 Sep
4 Sep
Tweets Follow
THE INCIDER ON TWITTER
