Published: Dec 02, 2015, 10:34 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 02, 2015, 10:34 AM (IST)
Rod Marsh, chairman of selectors has suggested that he wants Peter Nevill to aim high and break Adam Gilchrist’s record for most Test centuries by a wicket-keeper for Australia.Adam Gilchrist has 17 hundreds to his name from 96 Tests for his country. With Steven Smith contemplating a change of sorts in the batting order for Australia in the first Test against West Indies, starting on December 10 at Hobart. Head coach Darren Lehmann has also mentioned that going by his performance in the day-night Test, Nevill could be promoted up the order to number 6. Nevill was the top -scorer with 66 runs. This also the lowest top score at Adelaide for a Test batsmen. ALSO READ: Mitchell Santner reveals how he tackled Australia’s sledging
Marsh said that his knock of 66 was enough to prove his is a rare talent and one for the future. “His (Sheffield) Shield record would suggest that he can bat,” Marsh said. “He took a little while to find his feet at Test level against the moving ball under trying conditions in England. “But … the opposition had to get him out (he didn’t give his wicket away). It’s a good trait. “We hope that he can make more Test hundreds than any other Australian wicket keeper,” added Marsh.
Marsh exclaimed, “How does that sound? That would be a good solution for Australia’s batting.” Nevill who yet to make a Test hundred in his short seven match career for Australia. Marsh feels that Nevill knock which pulled Australia out of trouble from 5-80 to 224 is no simple feat. “He had a terrific game, a fantastic game,” he said. “The way I looked at this Test match was normally on Adelaide Oval 400 is a half-decent first-innings score. It was 200 both sides, so I just doubled everyone’s score. “I thought that was a fair way of doing it – so Nevill’s 132 was brilliant,” ended Marsh. ALSO READ: Steven Smith credits Shaun Marsh, Josh Hazlewood for Australia’s victory over New Zealand in day-night Test
Marsh did mention that grass on the pitch on Adelaide created difficulties for the batsmen, Marsh who had played in World Series Cricket was however happy to see bowlers get assistance. “Because the poor devils had not much going for them in the other two Tests,” Marsh said. “It was really good that they made batsmen look vulnerable again. There were times in Perth where I just didn’t think we were going to get another wicket,” adds Marsh.
“That was when their tail was batting as well – it was ridiculous.”
