“It is nice to see him up and about”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England batsman Nick Compton is set to feature in the third Test against South Africa in Johannesburg after recovering from a stomach illness.

Compton, who has scored 194 runs in the first two Tests at an average of 48.50, did not take part in Monday’s nets session, but was present on Tuesday.

Compton’s team-mate James Anderson admitted that he was initially worried about Compton, but was pleased that he overcame the illness prior to the start of the third Test, which gets underway on Thursday.

“It was not ideal, him getting an illness close to the game, so it is nice to see him up and about, making a good recovery, and back in the nets today,” Anderson said. “It can take a lot out of you when you get an illness like that. Hopefully he will use his time wisely over the next couple of days to get 100 per cent fit for the game.”

Anderson also revealed that he is feeling confident ahead of the third Test after he had to bowl 35 overs in the second Test in Cape Town, which ended as a draw. The 33-year-old missed the first Test in Durban due to a calf strain, but England still won the match by 241 runs.

“Good, considering the amount of bowling and the amount of time we spent in the field (South Africa scored 627-7 in Cape Town),” Anderson said when asked how he was feeling. “It was not ideal, being injured and coming back to 35 overs, but it was a good test of the fitness and I feel pretty good, considering.

“I had a good few days of recovery in Cape Town and then coming here I had a good bowl yesterday, so I am feeling good ahead of the game

“It is frustrating to get injured but as a bowler it happens. Whatever age you are, you get injuries.

“The job of a bowler is to make sure you do all the fitness work away from the ground to make sure it doesn’t happen that often.”