Australia's woes multiply as Haddin is ruled out of Lord's

Sport360 staff 15:34 15/07/2015
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  • Personal issues have forced Brad Haddin to sit out of Lord's.

    Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will miss the Lord’s Test for personal reasons and will be replaced by reserve wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.

    The 37-year-old played very little part in the tourists’ practice session at Lord’s two days before the second Ashes Test. Haddin stayed in the pavilion for the majority of the hit-out yesterday speaking with coach Darren Lehmann and team psychologist Michael Lloyd, while chief selector Rod Marsh had a quick chat with Nevill.

    It transpired soon afterwards that he was set to miss the match, with confirmation coming last night via a CA press release.

    “I can confirm that Brad Haddin has withdrawn himself from the second Test at Lord’s for family reasons,” the team’s media manager, Kate Hutchison, said.

    “He will remain with the team in London and we won’t be making any further comment. Peter Nevill will replace him in the side.”

    Nevill is uncapped in any international format but the 29-year-old, also Haddin’s understudy for New South Wales, has a fine first-class record – with a batting average of more than 44, including a double-century.

    It is not the first time the wicketkeeper batsman and father of three young children with wife Karina, has put the needs of family before the commitments of cricket.

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    In 2012 he took a year away from the game when his then 13-month-old daughter Mia was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that affects children under the age of five.

    Haddin, like many of his compatriots, had a tough match in the first Test at Cardiff – where the hosts surged to a 169-run victory.

    He dropped Joe Root on nought before the Yorkshireman made 134. He was the scourge of England in their 2013-14 Ashes whitewash defeat, however, topping Australia’s batting averages with five half-centuries – including a top score of 118.

    All the history associated with the ‘home of cricket’ can either inspire or over-awe players. But for wicket-keepers there is a more practical problem because of the way the ball can deviate alarmingly at Lord’s after passing the bat but Nevill appears ready for the challenge.

    “I can always learn a lot from Hadds, but this tour I’ve got to prepare to play,” he had said before Australia’s warm-up match against Essex in Chelmsford. “I need to be on top of my game and ready to go should that opportunity arise.” 

    Meanwhile, paceman Mitchell Starc is set to be fit for the Test beginning tomorrow, according to potential replacement Siddle.

    The left-armer, who took seven wickets in the first Test in Cardiff, has been battling an ankle injury but was able to take a full part in training yesterday.

    “Starcy got through well today, bowled out in the middle off the long run, both ends, he’s feeling good,” said Siddle.

    “I guess it’s just a waiting game at the moment for myself. Everyone’s fit at the moment which is nice.”

    Siddle also admitted Australia’s bowlers had to raise their game at Lord’s. “Our normal high standards weren’t reached (at Cardiff ) and that’s something we’ve got to address and no doubt we will coming into this match,” he said.

    “The boys are upbeat, they’re ready to go and want to turn things around. I can see a different contest out there this week.”

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