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Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin boarded a flight to Australia on Tuesday evening to be with his wife Karina and children. He put an early end to an unfortunate Ashes series which his side is set to lose.
After an unsatisfactory performance in the first Test in Cardiff, Haddin had backed out from the playing XI at Lord’s in order to spend time with his daughter Mia, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer in children, and hospitalized. Following this, he was not selected in the Edgbaston Test – a highly controversial move by the selectors with which several players seemed unhappy.
The 37-year-old took this in apparent good spirit and provided support and guidance to his replacement, Peter Nevill. The 29-year-old played impressively well on his Test debut at Lord’s and was able to retain his spot at Edgbaston and then at Trent Bridge.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann stated that leaving Haddin out of the squad was the hardest decision of his career as a coach. He added that the team cared about him and his family but the this step had to be taken.
What this could mean for Haddin’s Test career
Haddin’s performance hinted that he has not been able to focus completely on the tournament which has had an adverse effect on his net sessions as well.
Haddin had a fruitful career in the ODIs, playing 126 matches, scoring 3122 runs at an average of 31.53. He retired from the Australian ODI side after the World Cup final where they beat New Zealand to post their 5th World Cup win.
In Tests, the wicketkeeper-batsman has played 66 matches and score 3,266 runs, averaging 32.98. As a keeper, he has also taken 262 catches behind the stumps.
Haddin is not to be a part of the playing XI who will represent Australia in the final Ashes Test at The Oval. Cricket Australia confirmed that he was on his way to Australia and also requested that his family’s privacy is to be respected.
Although there as been no official statement made regarding his retirement from Test cricket, his early exit suggests that this might be the end of his Test run.
England have taken an unbeatable lead of 3-1 in the five-match Ashes tournament to conquer the Ashes yet again.
The fifth and final Ashes Test of the summer is scheduled to start on the 20th of August at Kennington Oval, London.
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