Steady Nevill just gets on with the job
by Khanyiso Tshwaku,
2016-03-03 05:00:00.0
AUSTRALIAN wicketkeeper Peter Nevill does not look the type to court controversy. But his ascension to the various national teams has been anything but seamless.
There was his selection ahead of Brad Haddin in the third Ashes Test last year, a decision that left his own captain, Michael Clarke, grumpy with his selectors.
And Nevill’s selection in the Twenty20 World Cup ahead of Matthew Wade and Cameron Bancroft was greeted with shock Down Under.
The 30-year-old Victorian, who plays for New South Wales, was nonplussed about the storms that have brewed around him, safe in the knowledge he is regarded as the best keeper in Australia.
"I think it’s pretty fair to say that I’ve been picked on my wicket-keeping skills," he explained. "As a keeper, your first job is to make sure the work is done behind the stumps. I guess the work I’ve done in Test cricket hasn’t been seen to the same degree in T20 cricket.
"I’ve always been a believer that wicket-keeping is a fundamental skill. But you have to be able to do a job with the bat as well," Nevill said.
And if ever there were broken fences between him and Haddin, who retired after his continued exclusion from the Aussie starting line-up, they have been mended.
"We’ve exchanged a few text messages because I think he (Haddin) is over in Dubai. We’ve been talking in between the time that he got back and I was preparing to leave, which wasn’t a lot of time, but I’ve been in brief contact with him."
Being the only keeper in the squad, Nevill is assured of playing in all three T20 matches against SA and the World Cup.
It gives him the advantage of being able to establish himself without the pressure of a competitor breathing down his neck.
Wade’s batting flexibility allowed Australia to use him anywhere in the order, while Nevill has made his name as an old-school, nuggety lower-order contributor.
With former Australian legend and current selector Mark Waugh touring with the team as the selector on duty, Nevill has been keen on impressing the younger Waugh twin.
Australia’s selection policy leaves the casting votes in the hands of coach Darren Lehmann and the travelling selector.
Nevill was clear in saying he will be
happy to fulfill whichever role is asked of
him, but was evasive when asked about selection issues.
"I’d love to take out a series win in my first trip as an international T20 cricketer because that would be lovely. Most of all, I want to contribute to the team doing well and winning while I fulfill my role.
"Any chance you get to represent your country is extremely special. It’s going to be a special moment and I’m looking forward to it," Nevill said.
Picture: THINKSTOCK
AUSTRALIAN wicketkeeper Peter Nevill does not look the type to court controversy. But his ascension to the various national teams has been anything but seamless.
There was his selection ahead of Brad Haddin in the third Ashes Test last year, a decision that left his own captain, Michael Clarke, grumpy with his selectors.
And Nevill’s selection in the Twenty20 World Cup ahead of Matthew Wade and Cameron Bancroft was greeted with shock Down Under.
The 30-year-old Victorian, who plays for New South Wales, was nonplussed about the storms that have brewed around him, safe in the knowledge he is regarded as the best keeper in Australia.
"I think it’s pretty fair to say that I’ve been picked on my wicket-keeping skills," he explained. "As a keeper, your first job is to make sure the work is done behind the stumps. I guess the work I’ve done in Test cricket hasn’t been seen to the same degree in T20 cricket.
"I’ve always been a believer that wicket-keeping is a fundamental skill. But you have to be able to do a job with the bat as well," Nevill said.
And if ever there were broken fences between him and Haddin, who retired after his continued exclusion from the Aussie starting line-up, they have been mended.
"We’ve exchanged a few text messages because I think he (Haddin) is over in Dubai. We’ve been talking in between the time that he got back and I was preparing to leave, which wasn’t a lot of time, but I’ve been in brief contact with him."
Being the only keeper in the squad, Nevill is assured of playing in all three T20 matches against SA and the World Cup.
It gives him the advantage of being able to establish himself without the pressure of a competitor breathing down his neck.
Wade’s batting flexibility allowed Australia to use him anywhere in the order, while Nevill has made his name as an old-school, nuggety lower-order contributor.
With former Australian legend and current selector Mark Waugh touring with the team as the selector on duty, Nevill has been keen on impressing the younger Waugh twin.
Australia’s selection policy leaves the casting votes in the hands of coach Darren Lehmann and the travelling selector.
Nevill was clear in saying he will be
happy to fulfill whichever role is asked of
him, but was evasive when asked about selection issues.
"I’d love to take out a series win in my first trip as an international T20 cricketer because that would be lovely. Most of all, I want to contribute to the team doing well and winning while I fulfill my role.
"Any chance you get to represent your country is extremely special. It’s going to be a special moment and I’m looking forward to it," Nevill said.
Change: -1.54%
Change: -1.49%
Change: -2.02%
Change: -0.73%
Change: -4.01%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: 0.12%
Change: -0.10%
Change: -1.54%
Change: 0.00%
Change: -0.25%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: 0.99%
Change: 0.16%
Change: 0.57%
Change: 0.74%
Change: -0.12%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: -2.07%
Change: -3.72%
Change: -4.04%
Change: -3.81%
Change: -1.73%
Data supplied by Profile Data