Nick Compton has acted to save his troubled season by taking time off from Middlesex and England.
The opening batsman, who is expected to be dropped from the upcoming Test series against Pakistan after a poor run of form, will take an unspecified period away from the game.
Middlesex announced last night: “Following a challenging start to the 2016 season, both physically and mentally, it has been agreed that the best way forward is for Compton to spend some time away from the game.”
Middlesex managing director Angus Fraser added: “We all believe that some time away from the game will allow [Nick] to refresh, recharge and return to play the sort of cricket we all know he is capable of producing. During this period Nick will receive the full support of Middlesex and the England cricket team management.”
Compton, 32, started in all three Tests in the recent series against Sri Lanka, but ended with a high score of only 22 not out and an average of 12.75 with 51 runs. In all, he has played 16 Tests scoring 775 runs at 28.70. Dropped three years ago, he was recalled for the South Africa tour last winter and scored 85 in the first Test in Durban.
