Nick Compton was both proud and relieved after the maiden Test century which has surely cemented his role as an Ashes opener this summer. The 29-year-old marked his fifth Test with a breakthrough innings, consolidation of his hard work in India before Christmas, as he and Alastair Cook shared a record stand of 231. <img alt="" src="http://images.mid-day.com/2013/mar/nick.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 155px;" /> England&rsquo;s Nick Compton (left) plays a drive identical to his grandfather Denis&rsquo; enroute to his maiden Test century against New Zealand on Saturday. Pics/Getty Images Both made hundreds, the peerless captain his 24th, to help right the wrongs of England&rsquo;s first innings as the tourists closed Day Four of the first Test against New Zealand at the University Oval on 234 for one.u00a0They still trailed by 59 but had vastly-enhanced prospects of salvaging a draw, despite being bowled out for a hapless 167 at their first attempt. Compton, grandson of England great Denis, had many reasons for satisfaction as he upheld a famous family tradition and vindicated the faith of Cook and coach Andy Flower.u00a0His unbeaten 102, one half of England&#39;s highest-ever opening stand against the Kiwis, was proof to himself too that he is after all cut out for Test cricket. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the biggest relief of my life. To get to this moment was something special,&rdquo; said Compton, who was watched and later richly congratulated by his father Richard.u00a0&ldquo;I never thought perhaps a year ago or (even) a couple of months ago I&rsquo;d be sitting here right now with a hundred. I kept believing, but it&rsquo;s been a long time. <img alt="" src="http://images.mid-day.com/2013/mar/Richard.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 334px;" /> Nick Compton&rsquo;s father Richard celebrates his son&rsquo;s century on Saturday &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a strange feeling... but I&rsquo;m just delighted to be here.&rdquo;u00a0Compton&rsquo;s chanceless innings stuttered only when he entered the 90s, he and Cook (116) both close to being run out as he tried to sneak his way to three figures with a series of tight singles. Nervous Asked if he felt nervous over those final 10 runs, he said: &ldquo;Yes ... definitely. I was holding back emotions as much as I could.u00a0&ldquo;I was itching to have a flap at the spinner before the new ball. But obviously there&rsquo;s a bigger picture &mdash; drawing the game is probably the best result we can get now &mdash; and that was something Cookie reminded me of. &ldquo;I managed to rein myself in... tried to hold my nerve. I&rsquo;m going to cut myself some slack. There were a few nerves there, but I thought I handled those 90s pretty well.&rdquo;u00a0He got there in the end, in the penultimate over of the day after almost six hours at the crease &mdash; a rewarding achievement he and his family will treasure. Compton, whose sister Alex is paralysed after a car accident five years ago, said: &ldquo;This means a huge amount. &ldquo;I had a few family issues back home, and I think just to give that to both my parents to take home with them is something I&rsquo;ve worked towards for a long time.u00a0&ldquo;I&rsquo;m proud that my dad&rsquo;s here. It&rsquo;s a great occasion.&rdquo; Following in his granddad&rsquo;s footsteps will have obvious resonance with cricket followers the world over. But he said: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not worried about that.u00a0&ldquo;It&rsquo;s great to do something that my grandfather did, sure. But right now I&rsquo;m happy for myself and obviously myu00a0family.&rdquo;u00a0

Nick Compton, grandson of England great Denis, upholds family tradition 

Just in the Nick of time

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / Just in the Nick of time

Just in the Nick of time

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast