Quiet achiever does it again

In an age where players are labelled the next '<insert legend’s name here>' with increasing regularity, Peter Nevill represents a refreshing change to the long list of keepers bestowed, or burdened, with the title of the ‘next Adam Gilchrist’.

Nevill’s batting performance on the opening day of the four-day clash against South Africa A at Townsville’s Tony Ireland Stadium won’t rack up tens of thousands of views on YouTube or appear on highlight reels for years to come.

Like much of his career, it will go underrated and probably a touch under-appreciated.

At 28 and with 41 first-class matches under his belt, Nevill has spent his career flying under the radar.

While Matthew Wade and Tim Paine have each had a decent taste of international cricket, the NSW Blues keeper has been quietly going about his business at the domestic level since making the move from Victoria in 2008.

A brilliant Bupa Sheffield Shield season in 2011-12 that netted him 570 runs at an average of 51.81 to go with 22 dismissals behind the stumps earned him a spot on the plane to the Caribbean as back-up for Wade following Brad Haddin’s sudden departure from the 2012 West Indies tour.

That's as close as he’s come to getting the Baggy Green call-up.

Wade and Paine have long been considered that two fighting it out as the heir to the Haddin throne, but the likes of Nevill, Tim Ludeman, Chris Hartley and now Sam Whiteman have ensured the new-look National Selection Panel have a range of talented options to choose from when the time comes to select the next-in-line.

“I don’t try to worry about that,” Nevill told media after play.

“Those things will work themselves out, so I just try to do the job that’s in front of me and that’s hopefully keeping well in the rest of this match and getting a few runs in the second innings.”

Nevill discussed the impact that Ian Healy has had on his game in recent times after the wicketkeeping legend revealed to cricket.com.au last month that he’s been working with the NSW gloveman, as well as rising star Whiteman.

“He’s got some wicketkeeping knowledge that very few have,” Nevill said of Healy.

“He’s got an amazing eye for wicketkeeping technique, so the little things that he can spot is the big thing.

“I know Sam and I both love working with Ian whenever we get the chance.”

Performances like the one on Thursday certainly won’t harm Nevill’s chances of higher honours, with his gritty half-century giving Australia A some hope at stumps on day one against South Africa A.

Arriving at the crease with his side in trouble at 5-113, Nevill dug in as he allowed Wade to keep the scoreboard ticking along.

“I was just looking to consolidate”, Nevill said.

“Matthew was striking them beautifully, so I was happy to play second fiddle at the other end.”

As wickets fell around him, Nevill remained steadfast against a fired-up South Africa A bowling attack with a loose shot on 44 that fell between three fielders the only notable sense of vulnerability in his time out in the middle.

While his unbeaten knock of 53 from 133 balls displayed the type of character Bupa Sheffield Shield followers have come to expect in the past few years, Nevill really should have never been in that position in the first place.

Phil Hughes (23), Tom Cooper (36), Callum Ferguson (47) and Wade (32) all made good starts and failed to reach half-centuries.

Hughes looked like a man on a mission at the top of the order, smashing four boundaries with varying levels of disdain during one Marchant de Lange over.

The other three all looked set to stamp their authority on the day’s play, with Ferguson’s dismissal just prior to lunch triggering the middle-order collapse.

“It was a good opportunity for someone to make a big score and stamp their authority on the game,” Nevill continued.

“Unfortunately that hasn’t happened and that’s seen us get 240 which is below par on that wicket.”

A late wicket to Michael Neser, thanks to a sharp catch from Nevill, helped the home side peg back some of the momentum at the close of play with the tourists 1-26.

“We would have loved to have grabbed two tonight, but getting one gets our foot in the door,” added Nevill.

“We need to bowl well tomorrow and hopefully we can get 10 wickets.”

And while he may be far from being labelled the 'next Gilly', more efforts like day one may just see Nevill handed a far more enticing title: The 'next Australia Test keeper'.