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Marsh wants Nevill to break Gilly's record

National selector hopes Test gloveman can score more centuries than any other Australian wicketkeeper

Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh wants Peter Nevill to aim high.

Adam Gilchrist high.

Steve Smith is contemplating a change in Australia's batting order for the first Test against the West Indies, which starts on December 10 in Hobart.

Coach Darren Lehmann revealed Nevill could be promoted to No.6, having top-scored in the day-night Test with a knock of 66.

Never before has a batsman top-scored in an Adelaide Oval Test with such a low figure.

For Marsh it was confirmation of Nevill's prodigious talent.

"His (Sheffield) Shield record would suggest that he can bat," Marsh said.

"He took a little while to find his feet at Test level against the moving ball under trying conditions in England.

"But ... the opposition had to get him out (he didn't give his wicket away). It's a good trait.

"We hope that he can make more Test hundreds than any other Australian wicketkeeper.

"How does that sound? That would be a good solution for Australia's batting."

Gilchrist posted 17 Test centuries in his decorated career. 

WATCH: Gilchrist's maiden Test ton

Nevill is yet to register his maiden Test ton, however Marsh felt the 30-year-old's feat of dragging Australia from 5-80 to 224 in Adelaide was just as remarkable.

"He had a terrific game, a fantastic game," he said.

"The way I looked at this Test match was normally on Adelaide Oval 400 is a half-decent first-innings score.

"It was 200 both sides, so I just doubled everyone's score.

"I thought that was a fair way of doing it - so Nevill's 132 was brilliant."

Marsh noted the grassy Adelaide Oval pitch created difficult batting conditions, however the World Series Cricket wicketkeeper was thrilled to see the bowlers have some assistance.

"Because the poor devils had not much going for them in the other two Tests," Marsh said.

"It was really good that they made batsmen look vulnerable again.

"There were times in Perth where I just didn't think we were going to get another wicket.

"That was when their tail was batting as well - it was ridiculous."

AUSSIE KEEPERS' TEST TONS


17 - Adam Gilchrist


4 - Ian Healy, Brad Haddin


3 - Rod Marsh


2 - Matthew Wade


2 - Wayne Phillips. 

WATCH: Gilchrist's 57-ball century at the WACA