Gilly's bold call for Ashes 'keeper

Legendary Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist is no closer to guessing which way selectors will go when deciding who will wear the gloves this summer – he just wants whoever it is to play all five Tests.

Gilchrist had sympathy for the plights of Ashes hopeful Matthew Wade and Peter Nevill, but added he would understand if rising South Australia gloveman Alex Carey bolted into the side.

Whatever they decide, Gilchrist hopes the selectors show faith for the whole Magellan Ashes series so the gloveman gets the chance to "launch a career".

Wade is under pressure to retain the gloves for the Ashes opener at the Gabba from November 23 after underperforming with the bat since his recall.

Wade was then replaced by part-time 'keeper Peter Handscomb during the recent one-day tour of India.

And while Wade was heavily criticised for his glovework after conceding 30 byes in Australia's first Test defeat to Bangladesh in August – a match in which his counterpart conceded 22 – Gilchrist said he had been harshly judged.

"Wade has come in and six of his 10 Tests back have been on the subcontinent , the most difficult wicketkeeping and batting conditions you will come across," Gilchrist told AAP.

"The player group will probably hope he is shown a bit of faith by the selectors, given a chance back home."

The man Wade replaced in the Test side, NSW's Nevill is again in the mix. Nevill was among sweeping changes made to the Test team after their nightmare innings-and-80-run defeat to South Africa in Hobart last summer.

The Blues gloveman responded by peeling off three Sheffield Shield tons following his axing and has worked with ex-Test keeper Ian Healy to fine tune his technique.

"I think Nevill was a bit harshly treated when they made the wholesale changes last summer," Gilchrist said.

"I didn't think he was missing anything with the gloves really.

"And he got a 60-odd the game before. He was probably the victim of a failing top order."

Gilchrist said he would not have an issue with Carey getting the call up at the Gabba – as long as selectors 'pick and stick'.

"They might want to start afresh with Carey. I understand the different points of view," Gilchrist said.

"Either way they go I can understand.

"And there is so much cricket between now and the first Test, whoever gets it done in those Shield games will probably get the opportunity.

"But whoever they pick, stick with them for a while, try and get some stability there.

"It is up to the player to warrant selection but if the selectors give them a decent run it could really launch a career."

Carey is in the mix ahead of the Ashes after being named as the only gloveman for Australia A's tour of South Africa earlier this year.

Gilchrist is a XXXX Gold Ambassador this summer, endorsing The Goldie, a tech-enabled golden cricket cap, designed to reward fans for coming together.

There are 6000 cricket-related prizes valued at $350,000 up for grabs through the XXXX Gold app, while fans in the crowd can win $10,000 by catching a six while wearing the cap. The competition is open to over 18s only.

Wicketkeeper contenders

Matthew Wade
Age 29 State Tasmania

Tests: 22 | Runs: 886 | 100s: 2 | 50s: 4 | Ave: 28.58| HS: 106 | Catch: 63 | Stump: 11

First-class: 110 | Runs: 5186 | 100s: 9 | 50s: 32 | Ave: 37.57 | HS: 152 | Catch: 364 | Stump: 21

Peter Nevill
Age 32 State NSW

Tests: 17 | Runs: 468 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 3 | Ave: 22.28 | HS: 66 | Catch: 61 | Stump: 2

First-class: 86 | Runs: 4264 | 100s: 9 | 50s: 21 | Ave: 40.22 | HS: 235* | Catch: 264 | Stump: 15

Alex Carey
Age 26 State South Australia

First-class: 18 | Runs: 794 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 6 | Ave: 25.61 | HS: 79 | Catch: 75 | Stump: 2

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21