Nick Compton - Move To Somerset

Move To Somerset

Having left Middlesex because he wanted a fresh challenge, Compton subsequently signed for Somerset on a multi-year contract, where he was expected to bat in the top three. Compton enjoyed a moderately successful first season in 2010 for Somerset, in first-class cricket only scoring 465 runs but in one day cricket Compton scored six fifties helping Somerset to the 2010 Clydesdale Bank 40 final against Warwickshire and recorded his highest score of 74 in Twenty20 cricket.

Compton spent the first half of the 2010-11 season with Mashonaland Eagles in Zimbabwe, impressing in all forms of cricket scoring 209 runs in three first-class matches at an average of 41.80, scoring 204 runs in three one day matches at an average of 102, and scoring three fifties in six Twenty20 matches including matching his highest score of 74.

He started the 2011 season well for Somerset with a one-day century in the 2011 Clydesdale Bank 40 century against the Unicorns on 1 May 2011, and just over a week later scored his first ever double century in first-class cricket with 254* against Durham. Compton's first-class formed continued scoring 1,098 runs at an average of 57.78 and being awarded his county cap for Somerset. The end of the season saw Compton helping Somerset against the odds to the semi-final of the 2011 Champions League Twenty20 in India.

With the earliest ever start to a first-class cricket season Compton took advantage with the second earliest double-century, scoring 236, in English cricket after James Hildreth, his partnership with Hildreth of 450 for the second wicket against Cardiff MCCU on 1/2 April 2012 setting a new first-class record for Somerset. Compton's good form continued with a second double-century against Nottinghamshire and having amassed 685 runs by the 27 April, with this weight of runs earning him a recall to the England Lions for the tour match against the West Indies. Compton only scored 21 runs for the Lions but still appeared to be able to be the first batsman to reach 1000 first-class runs before the end of May for 25 years, before a washout on the second afternoon of Somerset's match against Worcestershire left him stranded on 950 runs. He nevertheless reached the landmark with a century the next day to become the earliest batsman to reach this milestone in 24 years. Compton's good first-class form continued until injury hampered his end to the 2012 season, while playing for the England Lions against Australia A in August 2012 despite scoring 46 in the first innings of the match he was ruled out of the rest of the match with back spasms. Compton finally returned to cricket on 6 September playing as a guest for Yorkshire Second XI against Somerset Second XI in their second innings scoring 39 and retiring not out in an innings defeat for Yorkshire. Compton returned to the Somerset side for their final County Championship match against Worcestershire, Compton scored 155* in his only innings in the match as Somerset wrapped up the runners-up spot in the competition, the century meant Compton finished the English cricket season with 1,494 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 99.60. Compton was the only English batsman to score 1,000 runs in the County Championship and won the PCA Player of the Year award for the first time.