1st Test: Compton, Cook lead England fightback

Pair scores centuries to cut down New Zealand’s lead to 59.

DUNEDIN:

Nick Compton produced an almighty bellow of exultation and massive leap into the air as he scored his maiden Test century on the fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand yesterday.

The 29-year-old, playing his fifth Test, had reportedly been under immense pressure for his place in the side with British media reporting that the promising Joe Root was to join captain Alastair Cook at the top of the order.

“I was well aware of that,” Compton told reporters after he finished the day 102 not out with his side 234 for one and just 59 runs behind New Zealand’s first-innings lead. “Joe Root is a fantastic talent; he has played brilliantly over the last year.

“You just know instinctively what you need to do and I felt like this innings was very important and needed to pull something out. It was great that I could.”

Compton’s innings and 231-run partnership with Cook (116) dragged England back into the match after they had a 293-run first-innings deficit just 45 minutes into the fourth day when Brendon McCullum declared at 460 for nine.

Meanwhile, New Zealand bowler Trent Boult said his side felt they could still win the match.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2013.