Despite Australian ODI wicketkeeper Matthew Wade excelling in the ODI series in Sri Lanka in comparison to Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill’s struggles during the preceding three-Test series in which the visitors suffered an embarrassing whitewash, former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin believes that the former still has a long way to go to catch up with Nevill, whom Haddin believes is much better with the gloves in hand.
Nevill, like most of his teammates, had a series to forget in the turning pitches in Sri Lanka, scoring a meager 51 runs in six innings at an average of 8.50. Much like the team’s fortunes that saw an uprise in the limited-over formats, the wicketkeeper in question also put up a much better showing in the ODI series with Wade scoring 155 runs at an average of 38.75.
Haddin, however, feels that a wicketkeeper’s performance should be assessed primarily based on his work behind the stumps and not just by the number of runs scored with the bat.
"I thought his (Nevill’s) keeping was excellent through those Tests in Sri Lanka," Haddin told cricket.com.au of his former NSW teammate. "Obviously Australia won't be happy with the result or the way they played in that series, but I thought his 'keeping was very good. He'll be disappointed he didn't get more runs but I still see him as the premier gloveman in Australia.”
Nevill averages only 20.88 in 19 Test innings and his highest score over the past ten innings has been 32. Haddin, who retired from cricket at the end of the 2015 Ashes series, though believes that the 30-year-old is better at batting with the tail – something that is very crucial in the longer format of the game.
“Traditionally 'keepers enjoy having the chance to scrap their way through an innings and get runs when the team needs them," he said. "They're not always judged on their hundreds but more so those important partnerships they have with the tail.”
As for Wade, who has two Test centuries to his name having played only 12 Tests, Haddin feels he needs to work more on his glovework to be in contention for a comeback to the national side in the Baggy Green.
"He just has to keep working hard, and challenging himself to be the best 'keeper he possibly can be," the 66-Test veteran said. "There's no secret remedy. It's about hard work and committing yourself to improving your technique as much as you can."
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