'Stillness at crease not helping Middlesex man find form'
Thursday 9 June 2016 18:40, UK
Nick Compton must forget all thoughts of being dropped and focus solely on his batting as he bids to retain his Test place, says Michael Atherton.
The Middlesex man is under pressure after making one from 11 deliveries on day one of the third Investec Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's, the 32-year-old failing to reach double figures for the third time in four innings.
"I don't know whether he has been reading the papers or listening to people over the last few days but you know when you are playing for your place," Atherton told Sky Sports.
"He must know that if he doesn't get runs in this game he probably won't get selected in the next one and that adds pressure.
"You've got to try and take the situation out of your mind and focus on the bowler running down, but sometimes things do crowd your thoughts."
Compton made a positive start on his Test comeback with scores of 85 and 49 as England beat South Africa by 241 runs at Durban.
However, since then the England No 3 has scored just 143 runs from his last 10 Test innings and Atherton thinks his struggles could come from his stillness at the crease.
"From a technical perspective, I think he stands too still for too long and then it all happens in a rush," the former England opener added.
Batsmen should be like dancers, on the balls of their feet and moving, but he is solid still on his heels and then it's too late.
"Batsmen should be like dancers, on the balls of their feet and moving, but he is solid still on his heels and then it's too late.
"Technical and mental things are piling on him - sport is cruel at times."
Watch live coverage of day two of the third Investec Test from 10.30am on Friday on Sky Sports 2. Before then, catch highlights from day one at 8pm on Sky Sports 2, followed by The Verdict - with Charles Colvile, Bob Willis, Jonathan Trott and Russel Arnold - at 9pm on the same channel.
