Aussie legends furious over Haddin snub

Australia

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his dismay that veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was not picked for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, with Peter Nevill being preferred.

Nevill made his debut at Lord's in the second Test, after Haddin was forced to withdraw to be with his sick daughter. Ponting feels that while Nevill may have done well, Haddin wasn't dropped, and should have been given his spot back.

Ponting said in his News Corp column: "He made the only and right decision to be with his daughter Mia who was very ill in hospital and missed that match.

"I know it would have been a hard call for him, he has been a single-minded and determined servant of Australian cricket, but he rightfully put his family first and has paid the price for it.

"I know he won't complain about being dropped. He is a tough character but it doesn't sit right with me."

Ponting added that he was mostly impressed with Nevill's debut, but still thought Haddin should have been recalled, and hoped it wasn't the last fans would see of the veteran, who had been rumour to be retiring after the Ashes.

'Punter' added: "I suspect we won't see him again and I am a little concerned that the team may miss him more than they expect."

Also furious with the decision was former colleague and opening batsman Matthew Hayden, who wrote that a family man had been treated poorly by this decision.

Hayden also wrote for News Corp: "After the hell he's gone through it is outrageous that Brad Haddin hasn't gotten his spot back for the third Ashes Test.

"Any mum and dad who has experienced the issues Brad and his wife Karina are going through will understand there's no way he was in position to play cricket at Lord's.

"But now that it's happened, it's behind them and Brad's been retained on tour, he just has to play.

"What kind of precedent do the selectors want to set? It doesn't say much for the family-first policy if Brad puts his family first and all of a sudden he's out. Sometimes the heart has to play a part in selection."

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