Nevill stars, Vics 2-119 in Shield clash

Peter Nevill batted and kept wicket with poise, while Victoria reached 2-119 at tea on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash.

Nevill top-scored against his former side at the MCG, lifting the Blues to a first-innings total of 366 on Saturday as national selector Mark Waugh watched from the stands.

The 29-year-old then pouched two catches, including a sensational diving effort, to dent what was an otherwise impressive response from the Bushrangers.

Nevill removed Rob Quiney for 43 by lunging low to his left, having earlier snaffled a regulation edge from David King when the debutant’s attempt to leave went awry.

Gurinder Sandhu claimed both wickets, while Marcus Stoinis and David Hussey’s unbeaten stand is worth 51 runs.

It was an impressive day’s cricket from the gloveman who is Brad Haddin’s understudy at NSW, and among the contenders to replace the Australian keeper should a shoulder injury prove serious.

Nevill fell for 87 shortly before lunch as the visitors added 100 runs to their overnight total.

His 89-run partnership with Josh Hazlewood was the state’s best final-wicket stand in ten years.

Counterpart Matthew Wade kept the field back for Nevill early in the morning session as Victoria chased the final scalp required, having sent NSW in on Friday and dismissed Will Somerville in the fifth over on Saturday.

Nevill was happy to take the easy singles on offer under overcast skies and in 78 minutes the pair swung momentum back NSW’s way.

Victorian-born and raised wicketkeeper Nevill, who shifted north from Melbourne in 2008, danced down the pitch to crash a beautiful six back over the head of Fawad Ahmed after steering his side to 300.

Nine overs and 40 runs later, with Ahmed swung around to the Great Southern Stand end, Hazlewood heaved a flighted ball from the legspinner over the long-on fence.

Nevill was undone after a five-minute rain delay, picking out Peter Handscomb in the deep when he lashed at a short ball from John Hastings.

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