England team director Andy Flower has told Nick Compton that he must fire for Somerset in order to ensure his selection for the upcoming Ashes series which begins on July 10 at Trent Bridge.

Compton has scored just 54 runs in his last six innings for England and has an average of just 31.93 from his nine Tests, despite scoring a century against New Zealand earlier this year in Dunedin.

"He's got to go away and get back into form, score some heavy runs for Somerset," Flower told the BBC.

Nick Compton
Nick Compton is under pressure to score runs to keep his place in the England side for the upcoming Ashes series. [Reuters]

Compton achieved back-to-back centuries out in New Zealand but struggled during the 2-0 home series victory over the Kiwis as he managed to score just 39 runs from his four innings.

The 29 year old could now play some part in Somerset's matches against Derbyshire and the touring Australians in order to demonstrate to Flower that he deserves his place alongside captain Alastair Cook as one of England's openers.

"He has a few days off, and then he plays in a couple of one-day games before playing first-class cricket," added Flower.

"Hopefully the one-day game will be good for him. He can go out, enjoy batting and enjoy hitting the ball. That can be the catalyst for him going into that first-class game to score big runs for Somerset."

There have been calls for Joe Root to move up the order and open with Cook after another impressive series from the Yorkshire youngster.

Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott, who has followed Root's career closely, believes that the 22 year old should be promoted up the order and that Compton should make way if Kevin Pietersen returns from injury in time to face Australia.

"Joe Root's splendid century and Jonny Bairstow's half-century have put Nick Compton's place in jeopardy. There is no point in beating about the bush," Boycott wrote in the Telegraph.

"Kevin Pietersen is a great batsman and we have to get him back in the side. The only question then is does England's batting line up look better with Root opening with Alastair Cook and Jonny Bairstow at six? The answer is yes.

"Anyone who saw the two youngsters bat must have been impressed. Root has a maturity and a range of shot well beyond his years."

Root will have a further chance to enhance his reputation as he is a member of England's 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy which gets under way on June 8 at Edgbaston against Australia.

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