Wicket-keepers have a wide ranging brief. The ultimate specialists, the responsibility they carry with gloves is vital, invariably also serving as the heart of any fielding effort.

They set the standard. The pass mark is high, for any blemish is highlighted and forgiveness rarely given.

In turn, newcomers to the role at the highest level are eagerly scrutinised as assessments are quickly made as to whether faith of a team can be placed in their hands.

These were the early tests Peter Nevill did well to pass today.

Transitions with the gloves aren't easy at the best of times, but doubly so when they are at the expense of those who have been highly valued, long-term contributors.

The bad blood when Ian Healy was left out after 119 Tests was deep, while Adam Gilchrist's departure was hard in other ways, mostly on account of its abrupt nature.

While Nevill has not yet formally supplanted Brad Haddin as Australia's number seven, on the available evidence of his debut performance it has to be under active consideration.

The rookie's apprenticeship occurred under Haddin at both club and state level, the incumbent having raved about his understudy's readiness for the role.

But Haddin isn't just heart of the fielding effort, he's also the glue of the team, earning enormous respect over an international career that began in back in 2001. This naturally makes any discussion of Nevill's succession more complex than glove work alone.

Nevill's rise to where he stood today is impressive by various measures, not least the competition he had to see off to earn the gong.

He was an Australian tourist once before, called up as back-up to the West Indies in 2012 after Haddin returned home and Matthew Wade inherited the mantle for the dozen Tests that followed. At that moment, after also contributing two fine centuries, Wade looked a lock to not only succeed Haddin, but also to effectively cut his career short. However, over time it was core competency behind the stumps where faith was lost, especially when gloving to Nathan Lyon.

The importance of this was illustrated today when Lyon's change of angle claimed the faintest of Jos Buttler edges. A lesser stumper's hands could have tensed hard upon sensing the nick in an effort to reposition. Nevill not only adjusted, he took the ball effortlessly and whipped the bails off in one precise movement. It was pretty tidy work.

But Wade wasn't the only barrier in Nevill's way. In 2013-14 Sam Whiteman came storming into fashion, a bumper domestic year with bat and gloves at just 21 years of age propelling him to poll position. Nevill must have wondered at this stage whether he was destined to become his generation's Darren Berry, another highly regarded tourist to never earn a baggy green.

Ashes debut ... Peter Nevill poses during the portrait session at Lord's Cricket Ground prior to the second Test. ( Getty Images: Ryan Pierse )

Instead, it was with the bat that he made his own statement the following summer, a career-best 764 runs at 76.4 in last season's Sheffield Shield. The jewel of his work to date was when he turned his fifth First Class century into a big one against Tasmania. Entering at 5 for 66 in sporting conditions, Nevill occupied the crease for 379 balls to compile a match-winning 235. No mean feat in the toughest domestic competition in the world.

Another century later in late February meant that he had timed his run flawlessly for selection as Haddin's cover for the this uber-tour of the Caribbean and England. He had survived the pull of others and came out the other end as the guy who was still ticking the most boxes.

At 29 he is a year older than Gilchrist and one younger than Haddin when they made their debuts respectively. Like Gilchrist, he had the guts to change states in order the pry the door open elsewhere, in the most challenging environment of New South Wales no less.

His relentless work ethic as an otherwise professional tourist was apparent those observing his training over the last two months, but was visible to all over the last two days. He entered the match at the top of his form, evidenced by his busy and creative contribution of 45 with the bat.

It wasn't the time for a nervous first up innings, so he just got on with it, scoring heavily behind point through cuts and drives and steers just as he had in making 78 in the Essex tour game a fortnight ago.

For the briefest of moments while he batted with Steve Smith he looked so comfortable that words 'century on debut?' were quietly whispered.

Of course, it wasn't to be - a lazy shot his demise - reinforcing that he's still a work in progress. That was also on display through a catch that wasn't today off Mitchell Johnson.

On the face of it, this earlier Buttler edge was taken spectacularly by Nevill diving low to his right, only to be denied an early entry to his international highlight reel by a conservative and hasty third umpire judgment.

Once again, tough marking is a 'keeper's lot in life.

It all amounts to a gruelling selection decision ahead of the next Test, especially if the series ledger is equal at the end of tomorrow or the day after. Nevill has looked at home, but the captain has already indicated that his former vice-captain has tenure.

Countless words have been committed to Haddin's troubles with the gloves in Cardiff and with the bat for 18 months now that can't be discarded, as much as one might wish they could.

The classic Australian temptation to 'not change a winning team' (if that is the case) could also aid Nevill's case, as would his status a certain member of the side that has a steep climb over the next two years to become the world's best.

With Ryan Harris and Shane Watson already making way, Haddin is a third member of the side who won't be around for that stage of the mission.

With Mitchell Marsh also furthering his claim on a permanent berth, maybe today, in more than one way, was when the future became the present.

Adam Collins is an Australian cricket writer and broadcaster. Follow him on Twitter at @collinsadam