Nevill ready for crucial Shield stretch

Peter Nevill can't wait to work with Australia's Test attack during a crucial stretch that will decide who is behind the stumps for the Magellan Ashes opener.

Matthew Wade is under pressure to retain his spot in Australia's XI, having averaged 20 with the bat since being recalled to the Test side last year.

Nevill, who was behind the stumps for 17 Tests prior to making way for Wade, remains arguably the country's most skilled gloveman and an obvious candidate.

South Australia's Alex Carey is also highly rated by selectors and looms as a potential bolter in the side that will face England during the five-Test series that starts on November 23.

The Sheffield Shield season starts next week. Wade, Nevill and Carey have three rounds to impress before selectors make their decision.

Nevill will be flanked by Austalia skipper Steve Smith while he keeps to Test bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon during the next four weeks.

It is an ideal tune-up for the first Test.

"You probably couldn't have any better preparation really. They're all bowlers I've kept to quite a bit in the past and know quite well," Nevill told AAP.

The 32-year-old, who responded to his dumping last summer by producing three Shield tons for NSW, suggested it's easy to ignore the added importance of the upcoming games.

"There's always distracting factors that will detract from your performance if you let them get into your head," Nevill said.

"I've got quite good at it over the years, being able to focus on what's important.

"If you're easily distracted you generally don't continue being a professional athlete for much longer."

Coach Darren Lehmann has made it clear his selection panel will consider both glovework and batting while assessing who should be Test stumper this summer.

Nevill isn't fussed about the prospect of the Blues' star-studded batting order potentially robbing him of a chance to craft a big innings next week, when he will square off against Carey's South Australia at Adelaide Oval.

"Playing for NSW isn't about individual performance. I'll be doing whatever is required from the skipper," he said.

"I imagine that's batting at No.7 and that's fine by me. We've got a very strong batting order."

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 13

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

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

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21