Since England landed in Mumbai on October 29, Alastair Cook & Co have played two three-day warm-up matches to get a hang of Indian conditions. Both matches failed to yield a result
Opener Nick Compton, grandson of England great Denis Compton, painted a rosy picture despite injury concerns to key players — Steven Finn (thigh) and Stuart Broad (bruised left heel).
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“There have been a number of good performances over the last couple of weeks. (Alastair) Cook scored a hundred early on, (Jonny) Bairstow got a hundred here, Samit Patel batted consistently in the middle order.
England’s Nick Compton drives during the final day of the three-day warm-upu00a0match against Mumbai ‘A’ at DY Patil Stadium yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble
“A lot of batsmen got to spend some time in the middle. Monty Panesar’s bowling in the last two days was exceptional. He was accurate. It looks good… everyone is in decent nick,” Compton, who scored a fine unbeaten 64 in the second innings, told reporters.
England took no time to clean up Mumbai ‘A’ tailenders at the DY Patil Stadium after Hiken Shah, who was unbeaten on 84 at the end of the penultimate day’s play, fell on 92 in the first over yesterday.
The hosts were bowled out for 286 in 101.4 overs as England took a lead of 59 runs. Spinners Monty Panesar and Samit Patel picked up three wickets each, while Graham Onions claimed two, including the prized scalp of Shah.
England had a steady start with opener Compton finally clicking for England. Joe Root too scored 24 before medium-pacer Shardul Thakur trapped him in front of the wicket. England were 149-2 with Ian Bell batting on 28 when play was called off.
Compton reckoned it was important for him to spend time in the middle.
“I did not have an ideal time (before this), but sometimes you have to give some time to yourself when playing in a new country with a new bunch of
teammates. It was an important thing for me to spend some time in the middle and get used to these conditions,” said Compton, who scored a third-ball duck in the first warm-up tie at the Brabourne Stadium and one in the first innings at DY Patil.
Eyeing opener’s slot
“I would be lying if I wasn’t eyeing the opener’s slot. I have been working very hard with the coaches behind the scenes. Everyone wants to be in good form to get picked in the first Test. You want to be ambitious, be hungry, but I am just trying to get my balance right,” Compton concluded.u00a0
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