Compton praises Australian attack

England Lions opening batsman Nick Compton was full of praise for the Australia A attack after the hosts were reduced to 4-140 on the first day of their unofficial cricket Test at Old Trafford.

Compton, the grandson of former English great Denis, said he was forced to get some “ugly runs” as the Australians gave little away.

“It was hard work on a very slow track,” he said. “Australia A bowled well, it was a challenge and I thought Eoin (Morgan) and I both stuck at it well.

“It was one of those wickets where you’ve really got to bide your time, dig in and get some ugly runs in a way.

“They came at us hard but I knew they would. Mitchell Johnson’s obviously got a point to prove and Jackson Bird also performed well. He bowled stump to stump and swung it a little bit.”

Compton eschewed his fluent drives on a slow Manchester wicket, preferring instead to battle hard for his 46 which came off 137 balls.

But he knew what to expect from the Australians after spending a year playing grade cricket for Western Suburbs two seasons ago.

“It wasn’t something I hadn’t faced before but it was fantastic to be going out to open the batting against Australia and to be wearing the England badge.

Together with Test batsman Eion Morgan (50) they formed the bedrock of England’s innings.

Compton also paid tribute to Craig Kieswetter and Samit Patel, who came together at 4-114 and stuck around until stumps in an unbroken 26-run stand.

“We’re okay, we’re in a good place with two good batters in and we can rebuild tomorrow,” he said. “If you can get up to 280 or 300, you’re in the game. That would be a decent score and hopefully this will be a good second-innings game.”

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