Dropped Test ‘keeper Peter Nevill has scored important runs for NSW against Tasmania
NSW skipper Moises Henriques has launched a strong defence of axed keeper Peter Nevill, fearing he was made the scapegoat for Australia’s Test failures.
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NSW skipper Moises Henriques has launched a strong defence of axed keeper Peter Nevill, fearing he was made the scapegoat for Australia’s Test failures.
Less than a week after being dumped for the third Test against South Africa for Matthew Wade _ a move based more on Wade’s perceived better batting ability than his glovework _ Nevill responded with an unbeaten 73 to help pilot the Blues to 3-288 at stumps on day one of the Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania.
He has shared an unbroken stand of 159 with Henriques (94 not out), guiding the visitors into a powerful position after they were sent in by the Tigers at Blundstone Arena.
Henriques then launched onto the front foot to back Nevill’s fighting qualities, after he absorbed 175 balls to help shut the door on Tasmania after two quick wickets post lunch had the contest in the balance at 3-129.
“‘Nevy’ has always been a fighter for us, he has saved our backsides in many games for NSW,” Henriques said.
“I think to say he is not a fighter is completely ridiculous.
“When you are losing games, people tend to need to make changes to justify what is going on.
“Selfishly I’m very happy to have him in the team… I’m sure he would be disappointed he is not playing for Australia but he knows there is only one way to get back in and that is by scoring runs, and he started well.
“Today was a great opportunity for him to actually build an innings and he has done that so far.”
Earlier the inform Kurtis Patterson _ considered unlucky to have missed selection for the third Test in place of teammate Nic Maddinson _ scored a fluent 71 to keep his name in front of selectors.
It was the fifth time in five matches the 23-year-old has passed 50, and he was eyeing off his second Shield century of the summer before Sam Rainbird cannoned a ball into his off stump.
James Faulkner was the best of the Tigers bowlers, finishing the day with 2-35 from 15 overs as he continues to build fitness from a knee injury.
The national one-day all-rounder removed former teammate Ed Cowan (eight) in the 11th over of the morning, before striking again after lunch to break a 96-run stand between Patterson and Daniel Hughes, having the latter caught behind for 30.
However while keeping the run rate in check all day, the Tigers were unable to break the game open.
“It was a long day, I thought they played particularly well with the bat considering we sent them in,” Faulkner said.
“We could have easily had a couple of edges but it just wasn’t our day with the ball.
“I didn’t feel like they really grabbed the momentum and took it away from us, they just kept scoring.”
Originally published as Dropped Test ‘keeper Peter Nevill has scored important runs for NSW against Tasmania
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