Compton signs new Somerset deal

Nick Compton has signed a new three year deal to stay at Somerset, ending speculation about his future.

With Compton out of contract at the end of the season, several counties were interested in tempting Compton away from Taunton but he has decided to stay in the Westcountry, despite the prospect of playing in Division Two of the County Championship next season.

Somerset are in deep relegation trouble but Compton has remained loyal to the county who have helped his career flourish. He spent the first nine years of his career at his home county of Middlesex, averaging 34.14 in first-class cricket before a move to Taunton in 2010. Since the switch Compton has scored 3,677 first-class runs at 61.28.

Compton's progress culminated in his call-up for England's tour of India in November 2012. He had to wait until the following tour of New Zealand for his maiden Test century. But despite back-to-back Test tons, a lean return series against New Zealand saw him dropped for the Ashes.

Back in the Championship, he has scored 578 runs at 44.46 with two centuries and Dave Nosworthy, Somerset's director of cricket who has endured some problems in his maiden season at Taunton, is delighted to have retained a key member of his squad.

"The Club and I are very pleased to have secured Nick again for a further period," Nosworthy said. "He is one of the best players in the country and makes a huge contribution to the club, not just on the field of play but also off it. We look forward to seeing Nick score many more runs at Taunton and beyond and we are happy to have secured a quality person and a quality player."

Compton added: "I've enjoyed my three years with the club and feel settled by having such a great team and support network around me. I'm aware of interest from other clubs but I've played some of my best cricket here and I'm grateful to the club and its members who have given me such great support. I want to continue to grow as a player so I can be at the top of my game over the coming seasons."