Australia have been jolted even before taking the field in the 2nd Ashes Test, as veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has forced himself out of the Lord’s Test.
Haddin has withdrawn himself owing to personal reasons, but there are no signs of him retiring, and will remain part of the Australian team for the ongoing Ashes series.
Peter Nevill, who played in Australia’s practice match against Essex and made a 78, will fill in for Haddin. Nevill will become 443rd player to wear the Baggie Green for Australia.
Both Nevill and Haddin play for New South Wales and share close relationship. Earlier, Haddin had said he is delighted to have a potential replacement in the side.
Losing Haddin is a big blow for Australia as they are already trailing in the five-match series, despite his below-par performance in the 1st Ashes Test in Cardiff.
Haddin played an important part in Australia last Ashes Series win over England at home, when they hammered the Three Lions 5-0.
The wicketkeeper-batsman played an important part in the 5-0 Ashes series whitewash and was Australia’s highest run-getter in the series.
This is the second time Haddin has withdrawn himself from a series, as in 2012 West Indies tour he returned home to spend time with his daughter Mia.
“I didn’t think about cricket,” Haddin had said. “I didn’t think about coming back to the game… it was making sure Mia had the best possible chance of surviving and that our other kids could live as normal a life with everything that was going on.”
Haddin remained away from the game for six months, but fought his way back into the Australia squad with promising performances in the domestic circuit.
