Australia captain Michael Clarke has said he expects Brad Haddin to play again in the Ashes despite the wicket-keeper's withdrawal from the second Test at Lord's
Brad Haddin
London: Australia captain Michael Clarke has said he expects Brad Haddin to play again in the Ashes despite the wicket-keeper's withdrawal from the second Test at Lord's.
Brad Haddin
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The 37-year-old Haddin pulled out on Tuesday, with a team spokeswoman not giving any more details beyond 'family reasons'.
Clarke did not get into specifics either when he spoke to reporters at Lord's yesterday but said he expected Haddin, who is staying on tour, to feature again in the series.
"He's doing as well as he can do," said Clarke of Haddin. "I think this time right now it is pretty important we respect the privacy of the Haddin family and give him this chance to be with his family." Clarke added: "I'm really confident that we'll see more of Brad Haddin throughout this series and he will play a big part in the rest of this series."
England captain Alastair Cook said: "Our thoughts are with him (Haddin). I don't know the specifics, but when you hear it's for personal reasons you just hope his family are OK. The England side send their best wishes."
Haddin's decision to withdraw from the second Test is not the first time he has put his family ahead of his cricket career.
In 2012, he took several months out of the game after his then 17-month-old daughter Mia was diagnosed with neuroblastoma — a rare form of cancer. As his daughter's condition improved, Haddin returned to international cricket during Australia's losing 2013 Ashes tour of England.