Compton may face Ashes axe in favour of 'fit' Pietersen after flop show in Kiwi Tests

English batsman Nick Compton is facing an Ashes axe after his below the par performance at the top of the England order during the two-Test series against New Zealand, which England, however, won 2-0.

England coach Andy Flower has left the Ashes axe dangling over Compton's head as he prepares to make a ruthless cull and may choose a fit Kevin Pietersen than Joe Root or Jonny Bairstow over him in the batting line-up, the Mirror reports.

According to the England team director, Compton had a tough series against the Kiwis as they had bowled skillfully and had pressurized the Somerset star, for which he needs to get back to form by scoring heavily for his county side, starting with a couple of limited overs games leading into his next first class game.

Flower further said that the team needed to settle down from the exhilaration of the victory gained by whitewashing the Black Caps before discussing about the batting line-up, conditions and the opposition for the Ashes, which is still a long way to go.

Praising Root and Bairstow, Flower said that the Yorkshire batting duo gave the team a good example of the right sort of balance between defence and attack and urgency in the first innings, adding that both of them play in contrasting ways, bringing different things to the atmosphere and the balance of the side.

Flower's next assignment is the Ashes, but as overall team director he will still be spotted at the odd one day game before and during the ICC Champions Trophy, although not as a back-seat driver, the report added.