Compton drops England hint against Aussies

Nick Compton (C) of Somerset plays a shot to the legside past Ed Cowan (L) of Australia as wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (R) looks on during day one of the Somerset versus Australia tour match at The County Ground on June 26, 2013 in Taunton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Somerset’s Nick Compton responded to his England demotion by re-stating his claim for an Ashes place with 81 against Australia on the first day of four at Taunton on Wednesday.

Compton, who has been opening with Alastair Cook, found himself down the pecking order after Joe Root was preferred as the England captain’s opening partner for the national side’s Ashes warm-up fixture against Essex.

But Compton, the grandson of England great Denis, responded to his omission in gutsy fashion although it was 22-year-old Chris Jones who did most to disturb the tourists, playing their first match under new coach Darren Lehmann, with a maiden first-class century in Somerset’s total of 320.

However, what threatened to be a day of little reward for Australia, who also play Worcestershire before starting their bid to regain the Ashes from England in the first Test at Trent Bridge on July 10, was instead rescued by the arrival of the second new ball.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc (four for 33) and James Pattinson (four for 56) got Australia back into the match as Somerset, for whom Jones made 130, lost six wickets for no runs in 28 balls after being well-placed at 310 for three.