Trevor Bayliss confirms selectors will ponder Nick Compton’s Test future as weather ruins England’s chances of series whitewash
England head coach Trevor Bayliss has hinted that batsman Nick Compton faces an uncertain Test future after the third and final Investec Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s ended in a tame draw.
Only 74 balls were possible as Sri Lanka progressed their overnight score from 32-0 to 78-1 in pursuit of their 362 victory target. Seamer James Anderson snared the only wicket to fall as the weather halted England’s bid for a first series whitewash since 2011.
England’s next red-ball assignment is a four-match series against Pakistan, which starts on 14 July, and Bayliss admits Compton’s place in the side is under threat after he amassed just 51 runs in five innings against Sri Lanka.
“We’ll discuss Nick Compton. It’s always difficult when a player is struggling. He’s a hard worker and he’ll give himself every chance to score runs,” said Bayliss.
Bayliss pointed to the form of opener Alex Hales as someone who has turned the tide of opinion after an underwhelming debut series against South Africa in the winter. He averaged 58.40 against Sri Lanka. Bayliss added: “After the South Africa series people were calling for Alex Hales’ head. He’s showed that he can play.”
England, meanwhile, have named their one-day and Twenty20 squads for forthcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, which begins with a 50-over clash at Trent Bridge on Tuesday 21 June.
Sussex seamer Tymal Mills and Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan are two uncapped players in England’s Twenty20 squad. All-rounder Moeen Ali, opener Alex Hales and batsman Joe Root have been rested from the shortest form, while Ben Stokes is ruled out with injury.