LONDON: Australia wicket-keeper Peter Nevill has insisted the tourists remain united despite the ‘complex situation’ which saw him included in the side for their third Ashes Test defeat by England.

Nevill made his debut in Australia’s 405-run second Test win at Lord’s after first-choice wicket-keeper Brad Haddin withdrew to be with his sick daughter Mia.

The 29-year-old Nevill impressed at Lord’s, with seven catches and 45 in his only innings.

But several former Australia players, notably Matthew Hayden, felt the 37-year-old Haddin should have been recalled for the third Test and went on to question the worth of Australia’s ‘family first’ policy in the light of his absence.

But on-tour selector Rodney Marsh said Haddin’s form did not warrant a recall, with coach Darren Lehmann subsequently adding selection could not be guaranteed.

Reports in the Australian press, suggested some players were unhappy at a move which could signal the end of Haddin’s 66-Test career.

“It’s obviously a complex situation, but all I can really focus on is I’ve been selected to do that job and I had to do it as best as I could,” Nevill told Australian media.

Nevill performed well again in the third Test at Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground, where his second innings fifty helped Australia avoid a two-day defeat, although England still won by eight wickets to go 2-1 up in the series.

As for suggestions of dressing-room disharmony, Nevill said: “The atmosphere is great. Everyone enjoys each other’s company and laughs and jokes around. Obviously it hurts losing, but the focus is now on bouncing back and winning the next Test.”

Meanwhile, Nevill paid tribute to Haddin, his mentor at New South Wales, by saying: “Hadds has just carried himself magnificently.

“Obviously it’s been very difficult circumstances for him since having to pull out of Lord’s, but he’s been incredibly supportive of me and has gone out of his way to make sure I’m as prepared as I can be to play the Test matches.

“He’s a wonderful guy, I’ve said it many times.”

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2015

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