Nick Compton talks about stepping out of his grandfather’s shadow and sharing an honour with a batsman he looks up to
Interview by Jack Wilson22-Feb-2014England are rebuilding and there are places up for grabs. What do you think your chances are of being a part of the future?
There are two sides to that. Firstly, it all depends on what the selectors, the captain and the coach are looking for. Secondly, I think my chances now are as good as anyone’s. My achievements, records and runs speak for themselves. I’ve consistently been one of the top county performers in the last three years and all I can do is keep scoring runs and playing the way I do. I have to keep putting pressure on the selectors.How would you assess your England career up to now?
I’m very pleased with it but I want more. I thought I made a solid start in India and showed I can make runs and bat for long periods. In New Zealand I scored hundreds but I was disappointed in the return tour over in England. At Headingley I wasn’t in great form and I didn’t play very well. I showed after that I have the ability to dust myself off and bounce back straight away with Somerset and I went on to have a really good season. All I can do is keep doing what I do because I know there’s a lot more in me. I feel like I’m approaching my peak now.In April 2013, you were named as one of the five cricketers of the year. How did that feel?
It was the single greatest accolade I’ve received in cricket. To be voted by alongside Hashim Amla, a cricketer I grew up and played lot of cricket with, who I look up to and who is arguably the best player in the world, was a real honour and a privilege.And it’s an award your grandfather Denis won, too.
Of course he won it all those years ago and I’m proud to have done the same. There’s an illustrious list of names of cricketers who have won it.Do you get bored of hearing yourself described as the grandson of Denis Compton, when you’re a Test cricketer in your own right?
It used to happen all the time but not so much now. I’ve found my own form and my own game. People started to realise a few years ago I am my own man. I know I will always live in his shadow but it’s a great shadow. He was a great sportsman with huge talent and I’m proud of what he achieved.You have taken four wickets in county cricket. Can you name them?
Jacques Rudolph was one. Richard Montgomerie, from Sussex, was another. That was years ago! Man, this is tough, I can’t think of the other two.Which cricketer in the world would you pay to watch?
Kevin Pietersen.Which of your team-mates would you least like to be stuck on a desert island with?
Peter Trego. He’d talk about himself the whole time. And if a scary monster came on to the island, he’d be first one hiding away up a tree.Who is the toughest bowler to face in county cricket?
There are a few. Chris Woakes, Andre Adams – but I’ll go with Graham Onions.Who would win a Somerset 100-metre race?
I would win it. I’m definitely the best runner between the wickets in the team. Apparently the boys reckon I run a few people out but they are wrong.And who would come last?
[Marcus] Trescothick, with those flipper feet, would come last.If you had to do a party trick, what would you do?
I’d have to sing some karaoke, even though I have the worst voice in the history of mankind.Which song?
Backstreet Boys, “I Want It That Way”.If you weren’t a professional cricketer, what would you be?
I’d be a professional dancer in Las Vegas.In your pre-match football warm-up, who is the one guy you don’t want on your team?
I’m going for Peter Trego again. He doesn’t pass the ball and always shoots from the halfway line.What is the plan for when you’ve finished playing cricket?
I’d like to get into the media as a TV presenter, presenting sports shows or documentaries.Where do you keep tomato ketchup – in the cupboard or in the fridge?
Good question. In the fridge, but it changes.
