Nevill to keep gloves for Australia

28 July 2015 08:46

Peter Nevill will retain his place as Australia's wicketkeeper ahead of Brad Haddin in the third Ashes Test, captain Michael Clarke has announced.

Nevill deputised for Haddin in Australia's series-levelling Lord's Test victory, which the veteran had to miss for personal reasons.

After taking seven catches on debut at HQ and also making a first-innings 45, it was Nevill too who had the gloves in the subsequent tour match at Derby - where he batted above the returning Haddin as well.

It is therefore no surprise to hear Clarke explain Australia's selectors have again chosen the younger man to face England at Edgbaston this week.

He said: "Rod (Marsh) and Boof (Darren Lehmann) came and spoke to me and told me what they were thinking.

"It's obviously a lot harder for me, because I have that attachment to Hadds - I've grown up playing cricket with him; we've spent a lot of time together, and I love the fact that he's still here working hard.

"If an opportunity comes he'll grab it with both hands.

"On the other hand, Nev made the most of his opportunity in the second Test.

"I thought he batted really well and I thought he kept exceptionally well. So it's a tough one when you sit in the middle, but that's the way the selectors have gone - and I respect their decision."

Chris Rogers also appears set to play in Birmingham despite the dizzy spell which forced him to retire hurt in the second innings at Lord's.

As he sat disorientated mid-pitch between overs at Lord's, Rogers told his opening partner David Warner he had seen the grandstand move - before being led off the ground by Australia's medical staff.

Rogers missed two Tests against West Indies last month after suffering concussion and was hit on the helmet by a short ball from James Anderson in his first-innings 173 in the 405-run win over England.

But tests cleared him of concussion this time, pointing instead to a balance problem in his inner ear.

He came through a testing net session at Edgbaston on Monday and was expected to prove his well-being at practice again on the eve of the Test - with Shaun Marsh waiting in the wings as a possible replacement, should there be any last-minute concerns about Rogers.

The opener has spoken frankly about his Lord's experience, but believes he is ready to return to the middle - having sat out the rain-affected draw against Derbyshire.

He told Cricinfo: "I was probably a little bit dubious - and initially after the Test I thought it might be a little bit difficult.

"But I felt pretty good over the last few days and see no reason at the moment not to play."

The worrying dizzy spell is nonetheless still at the forefront of his mind.

"It just looked like it [the stand] was going from left to right and almost like my eyes were jumping - a really bizarre sensation and kind of scary," Rogers added.

"I wouldn't have been able to continue, that's why I went off.

"It was a really weird sensation.

"I've never had it before and I must admit for the first few days I thought there was something seriously wrong.

"But after all the tests and seeing the specialists, they cleared me of any serious damage.

"It's still a bit of a day-by-day basis but so far, so good. I'm pretty positive and desperately want to be a part of this."

Source: PA