Nevill ready for crucial Shield stretch
Oct 21, 2017 - 1:00 AM Peter Nevill can't wait to work with Australia's Test attack during a crucial stretch that will decide who is behind the stumps for the Ashes opener.Matthew Wade is under pressure to retain his spot in Australia's XI, having averaged 20 with the bat since being recalled to the Test side last year.
Nevill, who was behind the stumps for 17 Tests prior to making way for Wade, remains arguably the country's most skilled gloveman and an obvious candidate.
South Australia's Alex Carey is also highly rated by selectors and looms as a potential bolter in the side that will face England during the five-Test series that starts on November 23.
The Sheffield Shield season starts next week. Wade, Nevill and Carey have three rounds to impress before selectors make their decision.
Nevill will be flanked by Austalia skipper Steve Smith while he keeps to Test bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon during the next four weeks.
It is an ideal tune-up for the first Test.
"You probably couldn't have any better preparation really. They're all bowlers I've kept to quite a bit in the past and know quite well," Nevill told AAP.
The 32-year-old, who responded to his dumping last summer by producing three Shield tons for NSW, suggested it's easy to ignore the added importance of the upcoming games.
"There's always distracting factors that will detract from your performance if you let them get into your head," Nevill said.
"I've got quite good at it over the years, being able to focus on what's important.
"If you're easily distracted you generally don't continue being a professional athlete for much longer."
Coach Darren Lehmann has made it clear his selection panel will consider both glovework and batting while assessing who should be Test stumper this summer.
Nevill isn't fussed about the prospect of the Blues' star-studded batting order potentially robbing him of a chance to craft a big innings next week, when he will square off against Carey's South Australia at Adelaide Oval.
"Playing for NSW isn't about individual performance. I'll be doing whatever is required from the skipper," he said.
"I imagine that's batting at No.7 and that's fine by me. We've got a very strong batting order."
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Ashton Agar all grown up since Ashes debut Dec 30
- All eyes on SCG pitch for the Ashes finale Dec 30
- In-form Smith setting new benchmark: Cook Dec 30
- Cook eyes big Ashes finish in Australia Dec 30
- Insatiable Smith continues dominant Ashes Dec 30
- MCG pitch not good for anyone: Smith Dec 30
- Mitch Marsh has come a long way: Smith Dec 30
- Aussies bat out draw in fourth Ashes Test Dec 30
- Warner falls short of record-breaking ton Dec 29
- Khawaja fires back at 'bizarre' criticism Dec 29
- Agar drafted into Test squad for SCG clash Dec 29
- Reverse-swing to decide fourth Ashes Test Dec 29