Test greats call for return of Nevill

Former Test opener Michael Slater has called for the return of wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Nevill to Australia's Test team for this summer's Magellan Ashes campaign.

A lean stretch with the bat has put Matthew Wade's Test spot in doubt ahead of the first Test at the Gabba on November 23, with the likes of Nevill and South Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey spoken of as possible Ashes options.

With the 'search for the next Adam Gilchrist' placing an increased emphasis on batting ability among wicketkeepers around the country, Slater wants the chief criteria for Test selection to revert to glovework, and the New South Welshman believes Nevill is Australia's most accomplished performer in that regard.

"I think we go back to the guy who's (the best) gloveman," Slater said on Sports Sunday.

"I read some quotes from Ian Healy. Now he knows a little bit about 'keeping and he said 'let's go for the gloveman, let's not make excuses for the top six batters doing the job and expect the 'keeper to do what Gilchrist did'.

"It's like looking for another Warnie – you don't find them.

"Get the guy who can take all (the catches).

"(Nevill) averaged over 50 for NSW last year. There's nothing wrong with his batting.

"He might not be an aggressor but he does a fantastic job.

"He might not talk as much as Wade but I'm not sure the talk from Wade is appealing to some of his teammates."

Slater chose his Australia XI for the first Test at the Gabba, including Nevill and allrounder Glenn Maxwell in the contentious No.6 spot, while Usman Khawaja returns to bat No.3 after being dropped in Bangladesh.

For his part, Gilchrist, the game-changing wicketkeeper-batsman considered by many the greatest Test player of the 21st century, was less decisive, hoping the national selection panel show faith in under-siege incumbent Wade, while also conceding he would select Nevill if given a clean slate from which to pick his team.

"First of all I think that Nevill … it was tough on him to get dropped," Gilchrist said on Fox Sports' The Back Page.

"When that big cleanout happened last summer, I thought he was the victim of a poorly performed batting order.

"Wade came in because they wanted runs and they wanted voice behind the stumps.

"I thought it was hard on Nevil to be dropped then.

"Nevill got 60 in the Test before (in Perth), went back to Shield cricket, scored two hundreds.

"I reckon (the selectors) flicked him just a bit early.

"But now that Wade's back in, they've said 'Right, you've got to get in there and do a job for us'.

"Six of his 10 Tests he's had since he's been back in have been in the subcontinent, the most difficult place to keep wicket, the most difficult place to bat.

"With an ex-player's cap on, I hope the selectors show him some faith and say 'You've got a few Ashes Tests here to go'.

"As a fan, wanting Australia to win the Ashes, I think Nevill should be back in."

Gilchrist redefined the wicketkeeper role during his 96-Test career, averaging 48 and blasting 17 centuries in Australia's dominant period from the turn of the new millennium.

His prolific output with the bat meant all teams around the world demanded a gloveman who could also contribute runs down the order, preferably at a rapid strike-rate.

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