Compton hails 'incredible season'

Somerset finished second in all three domestic competitions this year, but Nick Compton is refusing to be downhearted

Nick Compton believes Somerset should be extremely proud of their achievements in 2010 - even though they ended the year without a trophy.

Marcus Trescothick’s side came agonisingly close to glory in all three domestic competitions, finishing as runners-up in the LV= County Championship, Clydesdale Bank 40 and Friends Provident t20.

But Compton, who made the move to Taunton from Middlesex at the end of the 2009 season, is keen to take the positives from a campaign that ended in disappointment.

“It was an incredible season,” the 27-year-old batsman told ecb.co.uk/video. “It was a real revelation to be part of a team that competed in all formats and right up to the last ball we really had a chance of winning all three competitions.

“It’s got to go down in history as Somerset’s finest season. There are no trophies in the cabinet but to finish as runners-up in all formats is a fantastic achievement and just shows the consistency across all forms.

“Getting over the final line is perhaps more of a mental thing than a physical one, but it’s something that we are addressing and Somerset is a very professional outfit so I expect us to come back even stronger next year.”

Compton admits he took time to settle into his new surroundings in the west country, having spent his entire career at Middlesex prior to the move.

He also had to adapt to the playing styles of his Somerset team-mates, but feels he has developed into a better player as a result.

“I found it quite tough initially. London and Somerset are two different places so the geographical component was quite tough,” he explained.

“But in the last three or four months my game came together a bit more, which always helps in terms of getting acceptance, and I enjoyed the role that I played in the middle order, coming in at three and four.

“For the first couple of months I was almost trying to find my feet. It’s easy to get carried away watching guys like Trescothick who make the game look incredibly simple.

James Hildreth enjoyed a wonderful season for Somerset and Compton is confident his team-mate can go on to greater things

“It’s nice to watch them and think, 'I would love to be able to play like that', but the more you get like that the more you get away from what you do well and how you can help the team.

“In the beginning I was trying to impress people without realising it. There’s nothing like time in the middle and that’s something I undervalued.

“Trying to bat for a full day is a skill in itself and people perhaps forget that a little bit, so that’s something I’m coming back towards. I realise that there are different formats and they’ve got to be viewed differently.”

One player who made a significant impression on Compton in his first year at Taunton was James Hildreth, who was rewarded for a superb individual campaign with a place in the England Performance Programme squad to tour Australia this winter.

Compton has no doubts that Hildreth has what it takes to push for full international honours should he maintain his sensational form.

“He’s a very dynamic player, scores all around the wicket and the way he played this year was great to watch - he just never failed,” added Compton.

“I have never seen a guy be in such good form so consistently in all forms of the game.

“Of course there are questions about how he will do in Australia on the bouncier wickets, but he’s got enough ability to adapt. I think he’ll do really well.”

Watch the full video interview with Nick Compton on ecb.co.uk/video