Released by Notts last year, Compton has made hundreds in each of his first three innings for Kent
David Hopps20-Apr-2022Considering that Ben Compton has already batted for 20 hours and 43 minutes, and faced 918 balls, with the County Championship only two matches old, it would be understandable if casual observers looked at his age of 28 and exclaimed: “Where on earth has he been?”The answer for Neil Burns, who has coached Compton regularly in cricket and life skills, is simple: he has been on the outside, forever knocking on the door of a county system that is so often closed to the late developer.Compton’s extraordinary start to the season has brought a series of records. He became the first Kent batter ever to score hundreds in his first three innings for the county. And his 856 minutes at the crease against Lancashire at Canterbury was unprecedented in the Championship.There has even been a suggestion that when he was the last man out, lbw to George Balderson, and so narrowly failed to bat through in both innings, the umpire apologised for getting it wrong, although it looked a close-run thing.Rejected more times than he cares to remember, Compton has certainly been making up for lost time. Burns, MD of London County Cricket Club, where he offers mentorship in business and sport, feels the county system is at fault.Related
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“I told Ben he had to work very hard because the way the system is designed it is a closed shop,” Burns told ESPNcricinfo. “It is designed to recognise top talent at a young age – the next Joe Root, the next Ian Bell. But you don’t need to find that player – they are a class apart. The real test of a system is whether it helps a player who is not outstanding at a young age to make the cut.”What happens is because lots of money and time, not to say careers, is invested in that academy process, it becomes very exclusive. I’m not saying it is consciously exclusive, but late developers find it harder to break in. Players outside the system get disregarded.”His assertion comes fast on the heels of Darren Gough’s criticism ahead of Yorkshire’s opening Championship match against Gloucestershire at Bristol that county cricket was “too matey” when it came to coaching appointments.Cricket exists on the principle of incremental change where players are identified early and progress tiny step by tiny step. For Burns, Compton represents “Discontinuous Change” – an abrupt change that disturbs the traditional way of doing things.He sees that as a very good thing. “Ben has sent a message to those in elite development that they have to perform to justify their gilded life,” he said.Compton was born in Durban, South Africa, but he has a British passport. He is a cousin of Nick, a former England batter, and grandson of Denis, one of the most celebrated and entertaining players in England history. Since netting alongside Nick as a 16-year-old, he became determined to make it as a county cricketer, but despite the famous cricketing name, he was stymied at every turn.
If ever someone deserved a summer G&T it’s this man #BenCompton #3inarow #kentccc pic.twitter.com/a7RpDToiSB
— Nick Compton (@thecompdog) April 18, 2022