Compton keen to kick on

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Nick Compton is looking forward to showing what he can really do in an England shirt when his second series as an international cricketer gets under way against New Zealand.

The 29-year-old was given a baptism of fire when making his debut in the notoriously tough conditions of India, yet fared impressively.

Compton's statistics - of 208 runs in four Tests at an average of 34.66 - do not necessarily do justice to the invaluable role he played in helping England secure an historic 2-1 victory, their first in India for almost 28 years.

Indeed, it was often his opening partnerships with the red-hot Alastair Cook that laid the foundations for English success.

The grit Compton showed was certainly eye-catching and suggested that he should prosper against the Black Caps, especially given conditions are more akin to those in England.

After impressing on his maiden England tour, Nick Compton describes the Test trip to New Zealand as "a big series for me personally."

"I am looking forward to playing proper cricket," he said in an exclusive interview with ecb.co.uk. "I think it is a big series for me personally and I am not looking too far beyond that.

"I am hungry to try and get that big score and to play well. I was happy with the way things went (in India). You always feel like you could have done better and that hundred or big score was something that I really wanted.

"I felt like I went about it the right way; it was my first series and I felt it was important that I established good partnerships with Cooky. I felt like I did that and the way he played was fantastic.

"I was happy to be at the other end and felt like, while I was out there, we did a great job for the other guys to come in.

"It would have been nice, having got in a few times, to show the array of shots (I have). But I think, in saying that, we built good foundations and I took a lot from it."

While disappointed not to have made the hundred he craved in the sub-continent, Compton still takes great delight from reflecting upon his debut rubber.

He added: "There were a lot of positives out of that series; I was chuffed to be involved. To win was something that I will hold close to my heart for a long time.

"It was a great spectacle and great experience. India is a great country; cricket is like a religion out there, so for that to be my first series was a great experience."

The upcoming trip represents Compton's first to New Zealand for 11 years, when he played for England in the Under-19s World Cup. He is certainly looking forward to returning to the notoriously picturesque country - and not just for cricketing reasons.

He said: "It is a beautiful country. It is a great place to go; I love my travelling and will take my camera again - like I did in India - and hopefully get a few pictures out there.

"Playing professional cricket is a great life. You get to travel to these countries, get first-hand experience of the people and the cultures so, apart from the cricket, I am really looking forward to going to New Zealand."

He added: "It feels like ages (since I was last there). Who would have thought that 10 years later, I would be standing here about to embark upon another first-team tour? I am very proud. Hopefully I can make the most of it."

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