Peter Nevill to train with Brad Haddin ahead of Bangladesh tour
Australia’s Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill revealed that he will be working with his predecessor Brad Haddin ahead of the upcoming tour to Bangladesh, cricket.com.au reports. Haddin in turn said that he is looking forward to imparting his knowledge and experience to the 29-year-old.
Nevill made his Test debut during the recent Ashes series stepping in for Haddin during the Lord’s Test match as the latter opted out of the match citing family reasons. An impressive debut meant Nevill kept his place in the team for the rest of the series prompting Haddin to announce his retirement from international cricket earlier this month.
The pair, however, refuted any talks of conflict between the pair and Nevill, who was Haddin’s understudy at the state and national level, stated that he is looking forward to gaining some valuable input.
"We'll be spending time together next week when I do my catching work," Nevill said Fairfax newspapers."Brad's the same as usual, and that's great. Having someone like him to turn to for advice is invaluable."
Haddin also echoed the same thoughts and said that he is looking forward to working with Nevill.
"My services are always there for Pete, whatever he needs,” Haddin told Fairfax. “We'll have a catch-up next week, he's just had a good break (after the Ashes) and is ready to get back into it which is a good sign."
Australia head coach Darren Lehmann is delighted that Haddin has decided to continue offering his services to the Australian team.
"We can’t afford to lose those blokes to the game," Lehmann told Adelaide radio station FIVEaa. "We need him to pass on the knowledge to the next generation which will stand them in good stead.”
"He’ll do some work coaching-wise with New South Wales, and we’re going to get him involved with the (Under) 19s and (Under) 17s Australian programs, and I might even be able to take him away with (the Australian men’s team) occasionally.”
Cricket Australia decided to rope in former Indian all-rounder Sridharan Sriram as a consultant for the series in Bangladesh owing to his long experience of playing in the subcontinent conditions. He also had an impressive stint with Australia A recently as he helped the team win 1-0 in a two-match series against India A.
Australia’s preparations for the spin-friendly conditions they are expected to encounter in Bangladesh also include training at the National Cricket Centre which hosts a subcontinental type hybrid pitch. Nevill is visibly thrilled at the opportunity of training at the facility.
"That will be a good preparation," Nevill said. "(Bangladesh) is different, we're expecting it will be slow and low, have slow turn and there might be some reverse swing for the quicks."