An Ashes spot is within his grasp, but Peter Nevill is more intent on helping NSW claim back-to-back Sheffield Shield cricket titles.
Precariously placed in third position entering the penultimate round, NSW host Tasmania in a must-win clash at Bankstown Oval starting on Thursday.
The Blues will once again be relying on Nevill to do the business, with the in-form wicketkeeper-batsman the side’s leading scorer this season, amassing 677 runs at 84.62.
He made a career-best 235 not out against Tasmania when NSW crushed the Tigers by an innings and 91 runs last month in Hobart.
At this prolific rate, Nevill looms as a frontline contender to tour England with the national team this year if selectors opt to take a back-up keeper for Brad Haddin.
“It’s not a goal that I’ve set. I’d obviously love to play at the highest level, but I can only do what I can for NSW,” Nevill said on Wednesday.
“I learnt a long time ago not to worry about things I can’t control. I suppose I’ve always tried to focus on what’s in front of me.
“So I’d love to back up our Sheffield Shield title from last year so my focus is on beating Tasmania this weekend to make sure we still have a chance of doing that.”
NSW slipped from first to third on the table after collapsing for 97 in the second innings of their outright loss to Western Australia last week.
The Blues will face Western Australia again in the final round at the WACA, but first need to take care of Tasmania before thinking about leapfrogging WA and Victoria to secure a place in the final.
“We can’t look any further than this weekend. We need to win this game to make sure we control our own destiny,” Nevill said.
“Our last match didn’t go the way we wanted, especially the second innings, but that’s cricket.
“I don’t think there’ll be any scars from that.”
In the only change for NSW, middle-order batsman Ben Rohrer has replaced Nick Larkin in the 12-man squad.
Tasmania have omitted veteran quick Ben Hilfenhaus in favour of young spinner Clive Rose, who returns after missing the past two matches with a broken finger.
NSW: Moises Henriques (capt), Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Carters, Scott Henry, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Stephen O’Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Ben Rohrer, Gurinder Sandhu.
Tasmania: Alex Doolan (capt), Jordan Silk, Jackson Bird, Ed Cowan, Ben Dunk, Andrew Fekete, Evan Gulbis, Dominic Michael, Tim Paine, Sam Rainbird, Clive Rose, Beau Webster.
