Healy happy with Nevill nod

Former wicketkeeper Ian Healy has applauded "a change of mindset" from Australia's selectors that has vaulted uncapped gloveman Peter Nevill ahead of Matthew Wade and into the squad for the World T20 in India.

Quick Single: Nevill leads World T20 squad shocks

And Healy has also suggested the prospect of allrounder Glenn Maxwell playing a 'floating' role in the batting order as Australia seek to win a trophy that has eluded them on five previous attempts.

The inclusion of Nevill ahead of Wade for the sixth staging of the T20 world championship was one of the major talking points when Australia's 15-man squad was revealed on Tuesday; the left-handed Wade overlooked despite being the preferred 'keeper in limited overs cricket over the past 12 months.

National selector Rod Marsh said Nevill, Australia's current Test 'keeper who is regarded as the best gloveman in the country, was picked in the belief that the side has the batting depth to cover the selection of a player whose career T20 strike rate (105) and average (14) makes him a far less attractive prospect with the bat than Wade.

The selection represents a significant change in thinking, coming less than a fortnight after Western Australia's second-choice wicketkeeper Cameron Bancroft made his international debut behind the stumps against India at the SCG.

That decision was criticised by former Australia gloveman Brad Haddin after Bancroft missing a stumping chance of Suresh Raina that proved crucial in India's tense final-over victory.

Given the tournament is expected to be played on the low and uneven surfaces typical of the sub-continent, Healy supports the move to prioritise clean glove work over an extra hitting option in the lower order.

"I always say they underplay the role of the wicketkeeper in T20," Healy told cricket.com.au.

"The keeper, on the outside of it, mightn’t look like he's got much to do, but when he's got something to do it can be very damaging.

"It can be damaging to get a dismissal, whether it be a Virat Kohli or a Rohit Sharma, and generally it'll be a difficult dismissal. Either standing up to the stumps to a medium-pacer or a spinner who has darted a yorker in, those types of really difficult dismissals.

"And it can be really damaging if you miss them.

"It is a change of mindset for Australia ... in these conditions. It remains to be seen whether they're thinking 'just in this Indian T20 World Cup, we want to go with the best wicketkeeper who is OK to bat at No.8'.

"And if he has to do too much batting, then our batting has let us down, not him. In T20 you shouldn't be getting down to No.8 with a whole lot to do.

"It's a change in thinking. How long term it is and whether it's just a horse for this course, only they will know."

Nevill would likely bat at No.8 in the order, behind the likes of allrounders Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh and James Faulkner, with David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, captain Steve Smith and Shane Watson expected to compete for top-order positions.

WATCH: Magnificent Maxwell stuns India

The abundance of allrounders in the squad - Maxwell is likely to bat at No.5 - has Healy concerned that the middle order may be exposed should early wickets fall.

He's suggested Maxwell's role in the batting line-up could be determined by the situation of the match, with the explosive allrounder inserted when the game dictates.

And he says the selection of four frontline fast-bowlers, five allrounders and Adam Zampa as a frontline leg spinner gives selectors plenty of options.

"The consistency of Mitchell Marsh does alleviate the problem (of the middle order) a bit. If he can keep that going, we can afford a hit-miss player (Maxwell) at 5," Healy said.

"I hope Maxi just remembers he's batting five for Australia and he's got to not just entertain.

"I guess they can switch that around. Maxi might go up to No.3 or play a role throughout the order.

"When a wicket falls, (they can say) 'Maxi, you're next in' and they use him in that damaging role. And if it doesn’t come off, Watson and Mitch Marsh can play the George Bailey role, if you like.

"That middle order has to work otherwise oppositions are going to enjoy bowling to it.

"It'll be really interesting to see the combinations they put out.

"Whether they go with Zampa and Maxwell, does Watson cover as a quick so you can play two spinners, or all the quicks in and just one spinner and whether that be a specialist of Maxwell on his own.

"They’ve certainly got some variety."