Peter Nevill all set to become Australia's first choice keeper
It seems clear that Peter Nevill will be the first choice wicketkeeper for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston reports ESPNcricinfo as Brad Haddin took position in the outfield at the start of Derbyshire's innings. Haddin may play his final Test, after serving the Australian team for seven years.
The veteran's approach this week has been quite relaxed, which suggests that he may hang the boots for Australia soon. He batted without anxiety on the openning day and the time-out called for the physio, Alex Kountouris to attend to his leg seemed light-hearted.
The reawakening of the Australian team in this series is being observed. After the retirement of Ryan Harris in Chelmsford and dropping Shane Watson at Lord's, Peter Nevill is being elevated above Haddin in Derby. If Chris Rogers is declared unfit to play due to his inner ear problems, Shaun Marsh may be called to replace him at Edgbaston, further changing the shape of the side.
There is also an arguement that Marsh may replace Rogers, provided that he delievers exceptionally well. Australian coach, Darren Lehmann, is not too adamant about the idea of sticking to older players, as he remarked that Rogers is a key player “for this tour”. Captain, Michael Clarke, who is still struggling to find form, will have to deliver soon.
Lehmann does not seem hesitant in making changes as the nation has a large stock of quality bowlers. As Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are all at rest, Peter Siddle and Pat Cummins played against Derbyshire, with Marsh, Watson and Fawad Ahmed providing support. Cummins played his first red ball match in two years but seemed fluent and fast by the second spell.
"The boys were getting into me a little bit about forgetting what to do, how to prepare, how to warm-up for a first-class game - a few boys were pointing out the red ball saying it was red, not white," Cummins said as reported by ESPNcricinfo. "It surprised me a little bit how long it's been, because I feel like I've been playing a lot of cricket and while it was the first first-class game for a while it didn't feel like too long since I've been playing.”
"Swing was something I was a little bit conscious of in the last year or so, especially playing a lot of white-ball cricket, but spending those two or three months up in Brisbane I think has been a bit of a blessing in disguise. I've been able to work on that and the last month or two I've really felt comfortable swinging the ball and getting to learn where my wrist and everything is”, the website quoted him.
Cummins also flippantly remarked on Haddin’s fielding skills and said, “He did a good job out there, I think he'll make a good boundary fielder later in his career”.