Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin has been ruled out of the ODI series against South Africa owing to a right shoulder injury and is also doubtful for the first Test against India, starting December 4 in Brisbane.
Haddin injured his shoulder in the second Test against Pakistan in the UAE, while attempting a dive. He was also ruled out of the first one-dayer against the Proteas and replaced by Mathew Wade, but was hopeful of a return in the remaining games.
Cricket Australia physio Alex Kountouris, however, informed that the condition of the 37-year-old wicketkeeper is improving but he is not yet fully recovered to play for the Kangaroos.
“He has improved and responded to treatment since returning from the UAE but has not recovered sufficiently to return to training and therefore he has been declared unfit for the remainder of ODI series against South Africa,” Kountouris said.
Haddin, who was instrumental in Australia’s 5-0 Ashes win over England at home, is now in a race against time to regain full fitness ahead of the Brisbane Test.
“Whilst it is disappointing that Brad will miss the ODI series, the CA medical team is still hopeful that he will recover in time for the first Test against India,” Kountouris added.
The Aussie suffered significant bruises on his right shoulder in the Abu Dhabi Test, but was cleared of a fracture. He couldn’t keep during the match after the incident and the wicketkeeping duties were shared by Glenn Maxwell.
Missing the ODI series means, Haddin now only have a Sheffield Shield match to prove his fitness for the forthcoming India series. He is certain to play for New South Wales against South Australia at the SCG in the final week of November.
“He would have to play some cricket before the first Test starts,” Australia coach Darren Lehmann told Brisbane radio station 4BC. “There’s a Shield game before the first Test, so if he misses all the one-dayers then he would probably have to play that I would think.”
