Team of the Ashes (so far): wicketkeeper

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After Brad Haddin set the bar ridiculously high in the past two Ashes contests, no wicketkeeper – not even Haddin himself – has been able to live up to those lofty expectations this time around.

So who has done enough to take the keeping gloves in the Team of the Ashes (so far)?

AUSTRALIA

Brad Haddin: 5 catches; 29 runs at 14.50. HS: 22

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A series to forget for Haddin // Getty Images

Forecast, if a little cryptically, as Haddin’s farewell to Test cricket, the 2015 Ashes might have been a fairytale finish for the 37-year-old.

Instead, it quickly became a nightmare.

On day one of the first Test in Cardiff, his reaction time betrayed him and he spilled a relatively simple chance from the bowling of Mitchell Starc. The batsman was Joe Root, he was yet to score, and sure enough, he went on to make a match-winning hundred.

WATCH: Healy on the mechanics of the Haddin drop

Haddin made 22 and seven with the bat, unable to save Australia in either innings as he had done so adroitly during his golden 2013-14 series.

And that was that.

Only it wasn’t quite so simple.

Haddin withdrew from the second Test citing family reasons, which were later understood to be relating to the health of his daughter, Mia.

He missed a crushing victory at Lord’s, and promptly declared himself available for the third Test in Birmingham.

Selectors Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann left him out, saying the decision was the most difficult of their careers.

The call to axe Haddin prompted widespread rebukes from former players, who suddenly saw Lehmann’s ‘family first’ mantra as hypocritical.

Regardless, Haddin was out, and last week flew home to Sydney.

Peter Nevill: 13 catches; 125 runs at 25. HS: 59

Nevill reflects on amazing debut

Nevill had been Haddin’s understudy at both New South Wales and on the recent tour to the Caribbean, so when the time came for him to take centre stage – at Lord’s in an Ashes Test, no less – the 29-year-old had the wherewithal to handle it.

After making a polished 45 from just 59 balls in the first innings, he needed just two balls to pouch his first grab in Test cricket.

He didn’t stop there, either.

For the match, he equalled the Australian catches record of seven, looking ever-so comfortable in his new role.

Ahead of, and during, the third Test, Nevill found himself an innocent victim of the Haddin controversy, but again handled himself with aplomb, taking another three catches and making a second-innings 59.

WATCH: Nevill's first Test fifty (Aus only)

Three more grabs in Nottingham did little to detract from a miserable time with the bat for both Nevill and Australia, the keeper contributing 2 and 17 but at least achieving the dubious distinction of not losing his wicket to a rampant Stuart Broad.

ENGLAND

Jos Buttler: 10 catches; 79 runs at 13.16. HS: 27

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Buttler has endured a difficult Ashes // Getty Images

An aggressive batsman who could handle the gloves, Buttler was viewed as a man likely to take it to the Australians in the lower order, much in the manner of Matt Prior in years gone by.

And while Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali have performed that role either side of him admirably, Buttler has been a major disappointment for England, particularly after such a bright beginning to his Test career.

Going into the series, the 24-year-old was averaging 52.66 – that mark has plunged to 36.86 as he has struggled to deal with Australia’s attack, looking all at sea particularly to the off-spin of Nathan Lyon.

Behind the stumps, Buttler has impressed Australia wicketkeeping legend Ian Healy with his natural athleticism, claiming 10 catches across the four Tests to date.

The biggest talking point surrounding the right-hander was his decision to walk during the Lord’s Test, around the same time that umpire Kumar Dharmasena was seen to be shaking his head. 

WATCH: To walk or not to walk?