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I'm still next in line as Test 'keeper: Nevill

Overlooked by national selectors for Australia A tour, 31-year-old doesn't think he's been leapfrogged by Alex Carey

Axed wicketkeeper Peter Nevill believes he remains the back-up Test gloveman behind Matthew Wade despite being snubbed by selectors for the upcoming Australia A tour to South Africa.

After a record-breaking Sheffield Shield season behind the pegs for South Australia, Alex Carey was given the nod as the sole 'keeper for both the four-day and one-day components of the July-August tour. 

Quick Single: Carey on the cusp of national call-up

Carey's selection over Nevill came as a surprise to some observers, given the latter's impressive form with the bat after losing his spot in the Test side last summer.

The New South Welshman also missed out on being offered a national contract for the next financial year, with Wade the only specialist 'keeper among the 20 players to receive new deals (pending the outcome of pay negotiations between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association).

And while Nevill admits he hadn't been holding high hopes of his CA contract being renewed, the 'A' series in South Africa loomed as a good opportunity to put his name forward ahead of next summer's Ashes series. 

November: Nevill goes big in first match after axing

"I would have jumped at an opportunity to represent my country and would have liked to be part for the tour," Nevill told Cricbuzz. 

"I was not expecting (to get a CA contract) but it provides more motivation to keep improving for next summer.

"I think I am the next in line (after Wade) but you can't control what other people are doing.

"There is always pressure whether you are the No.1 or No.2 (wicketkeeper) ... you want Aussie cricket to be healthy so you have got to expect competition for spots."

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While a batting average of just 22.28 in his 17-match stint in the Test side led to his dumping in the wake of Australia's fifth-straight Test defeat, Nevill immediately found form after dropping back to Sheffield Shield ranks

He struck a monster 179 not out for NSW in the Sheffield Shield just days after his axing, before posting back-to-back tons after the KFC Big Bash League break.

Last month, former Australia gloveman Brad Haddin reasserted his view that Nevill remains the country's best pure 'keeper, though he noted Wade's work behind the stumps has improved markedly.

February: Nevill finishes unbeaten on 143

"I don't think his glovework has ever been doubted," Haddin told cricket.com.au. 

"From a 'keeping point of view, he's the number one gloveman in the country. 

"I think Matthew Wade's keeping has come a long way over the past 12 months and I thought he did a really good job in India. 

"(But) I think Nevill's keeping has always been first class."

Haddin has since been appointed as an assistant coach for Australia A for their tour of South Africa and will have the chance to work closely with Carey, whose glovework has earned praise from the likes of Queensland veteran Chris Hartley.