THE AUSSIE NEW BOY BEHIND THE STUMPS

SO AUSTRALIA’S NEW KEEPER HAS NEVER PLAYED AN INTERNATIONAL?

Well, Australians talk highly of Peter Nevill. England coach Trevor Bayliss played a big role in his development and was singing his praises before the first Test, while there was a feeling it was only loyalty to Brad Haddin that stopped him playing in Cardiff. Former Aussie spinner Greg Matthews even described Nevill as the ‘new Alan Knott’ on talkSPORT yesterday!

YOU ARE JOKING, RIGHT?

Matthews always was a bit eccentric. And you might wonder why, if Nevill is so good, he’s making his international debut at 29. But then Haddin, who has had a fine career, has always stood in his way. And the Aussies might have a point about Nevill’s batting. He averages 44 from 55 first-class matches and in the Sheffield Shield last season made 764 runs at an average of 76 — including an unbeaten 235. He has got into the New South Wales side purely as a batsman when Haddin has played as keeper.

BUT HE’S IN THE TEST SIDE AS A KEEPER FIRST...

Yes, and Lord’s is a notoriously difficult place to keep, especially when you’re not used to it. The ball just wobbles after it has passed the bat for no apparent reason, particularly on cool, cloudy days, and lots of international keepers get in a pickle when they first play there. We all know what happened when Haddin dropped Root second ball at Cardiff. Nevill will be under extreme pressure to hold on to those nicks. It probably doesn’t help that he also conceded a whopping 31 byes in the first innings alone in the Essex tour match.

NOW YOU’RE TALKING. SO IT’S A BIG GAMBLE THEN?

Australia don’t have any choice. Haddin is missing through family reasons and the thoughts of the cricketing world are with him. But it does leave Australia very vulnerable in the middle order. Adam Voges looked like a prime member of Dad’s Army at Cardiff — more Captain Mainwaring than Captain Clarke — and they are going to ditch Shane Watson after just one Test. Voges, Mitchell Marsh then Nevill is an inexperienced triumvirate at this level for such an old team...