Australia greats Ricky Ponting and Ian Healy say axing wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for the third Ashes Test against England, which began yesterday, was a mistake.
Haddin, the vice captain, has been overlooked in favor of the younger Peter Nevill, who impressed on his international debut in the second Test at Lord’s after the 37-year-old pulled out to be with his sick daughter Mia.
Former captain Ponting, who played 168 Tests, said the decision did not sit well with him.
“I am disappointed with the decision to leave Brad Haddin out of the Test team for Edgbaston,” he said in a column for the Australian newspaper, adding that Haddin was “the heart and soul of the team.”
“All reports suggest he would have played at Lord’s, but he made the only and right decision to be with his daughter Mia, who was very ill in hospital and missed that match,” Ponting said. “I know it would have been a hard call for him, he has been a single-minded and determined servant of Australian cricket, but he rightfully put his family first and has paid the price for it.”
“I know he won’t complain about being dropped,” Ponting said. “He is a tough character, but it doesn’t sit right with me.”
The decision was made by selector Rod Marsh and coach Darren Lehmann, according to captain Michael Clarke.
Haddin’s daughter reportedly has neuroblastoma — a rare form of cancer that attacks children aged five or younger.
Ponting said he feared that Test cricket was over for Haddin, adding: “I am a little concerned that the team may miss him more than they expect. I hope I am wrong.”
Haddin, who retired from one-day international cricket after helping Australia win the World Cup this year, turns 38 in October with Nevill now seemingly having the chance to make the Test position his own.
Healy, ranked with Marsh as among Australia’s greatest-ever wicketkeepers, also expressed concern at Haddin’s treatment.
“I think that’s a harsh call on Brad Haddin,” he told Fox Sports. “I’d like him to have a chance to redeem his Cardiff performance and then maybe at the end of the series — or when he doesn’t redeem himself — then we can move to Nevill.”
Haddin was not at his best, with either bat or gloves, during England’s 169-run win in the first Test in Cardiff, but Clarke said on Tuesday he would have played at Lord’s had he not withdrawn for family reasons.
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