Nevill undergoes Watson masterclass

Shane Watson has delivered a six-hitting masterclass to uncapped wicketkeeper Peter Nevill ahead of Friday's opening Twenty20 International against South Africa in Durban.

Nevill was chosen ahead of Melbourne Renegades teammate Matthew Wade in Australia's 15-man ICC World T20 squad last month, winning the 'keeping duties due to his superior glovework behind the stumps.

While the national selectors believe he has Wade covered with the gloves, Nevill lacks the explosive hitting ability of his predecessor, which could be crucial if quick runs are needed late in the innings.

In an effort to upskill, the Test gloveman called on Watson to share his expertise in the art of clearing the fence.

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Having amassed 238 maximums during his 11-year career for Australia, the allrounder has hit the most international sixes among the current touring party, and passed on his vast knowledge to the enthusiastic Nevill.

"He (Watson) is one of the best at doing it (hitting sixes)," Nevill told reporters after training on Wednesday.

"His advice was excellent. You're always learning at training, you're always trying to get better.

"And having guys like Shane Watson around, that's a great resource for you."

During a 15-minute tutorial in the middle of Kingsmead, Nevill's lofted drives went from falling just short of the perimeter to eventually clearing it, sending balls into the unmanned seating at the Old Fort End.

Then to show his pupil how it was done, Watson stepped up to the plate and effortlessly deposited the tame throwdowns from stand-in batting coach Greg Blewitt 10-15 rows back with each mighty swing of the bat.

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Nevill, who holds the No.7 position in the Test team, is expected to bat in the lower order behind a quartet of hard-hitting allrounders that could include Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner John Hastings.

"I've been told what my role is going to be and that's catch the ball, keep well and make a contribution, if needed, down the bottom of the order," Nevill said.

In a break from the modern day tradition, Nevill is seen as a wicketkeeper first, batsman second.

Since Adam Gilchrist changed the role of the wicketkeeper to include a proficiency in batting at the turn of the millennium, teams have often sacrificed assurance behind the stumps by handing the gloves to a batsman who can keep a bit.

Perth Scorchers batsman Cameron Bancroft, who filled in for Wade in the final KFC T20 INTL against India in Sydney, is the latest fill-in 'keeper experiment to go wrong.

Bancroft, who has kept wickets in the past before turning his sole focus towards batting, missed a crucial stumping to give dynamic left-hander Suresh Raina a life on naught.

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Raina hit the next ball from leg-spinner Cameron Boyce for six, eventually finishing with a match-winning 49 not out to see the visitors sweep the series 3-0.

That example is precisely why Nevill was chosen for the World T20 ahead of his peers in what will be difficult conditions for a wicketkeeper on the turning tracks in India.

"As a wicketkeeper, first and foremost, your job is to do the work behind the stumps," Nevill said.

"I suppose you haven't seen much of that to the same degree in T20.

"I've always been a believer that wicketkeeping is you most fundamental skill but you need to be able to do a job with the bat."