Brad Haddin’s omission from Australia’s one-day squad is just a chance for the under-fire wicketkeeper to take a rest after the Test series against India.
That’s the word from selectors, backed by the NSW gloveman texting his replacement Matthew Wade with an offer to help the Victorian ahead of a one-day debut against India in Melbourne on Sunday.
Wade was one of three uncapped players named on Monday in a 14-man squad for the first three games of the tri-series against India and Sri Lanka, along with batsman Peter Forrest and allrounder Dan Christian.
But if Wade gets his way that rest could become a much longer break than Haddin is anticipating.
“I’m looking to take my chance and see what happens from there,” the 24-year-old Wade told reporters in Sydney.
“I’m just hoping to do my best, I’m not sure what the selectors have got in mind after these three games but I’ll be doing my best to make it a hard decision to remove me.”
If that happens none will be more delighted than coach and selector Mickey Arthur who said building a pool of international-ready players extends to the wicketkeeping role.
“We need to see some players under pressure and it’s the same in the wicketkeeping department,” Arthur said.
“We need to develop two wicketkeepers. It’s probably our ambition to take two wicketkeepers to the West Indies so we need to see who the next best is.
“Hence Matty Wade, who’s been fantastic in domestic cricket, gets an opportunity.”
Arthur said Haddin had taken the news well and knows where he stands in the selectors’ minds.
“Brad wants to play on, he feels he wants to contribute and so do I, but … players need to give us ammunition to keep picking them.
“That goes for any player in the Australian squad.”
One man whose omission is down to form, not fatigue, is Shaun Marsh, the batsman sent back to Sheffield Shield duties to earn his spot in the three-Test tour of the Caribbean.
“Form’s temporary but class is permanent and Shaun’s definitely got class written all over him,” Arthur said.
“We hope he goes back to the Shield and scores runs consistently there and puts himself in the frame for the West Indies tour.”
Vice-captain Shane Watson has again been left out as he continues to struggle to overcome the hamstring and calf injuries which have wrecked his summer.
Arthur said it was hoped Watson will be in contention when the squad for the next block of ODIs is named, with young quicks Pat Cummins and James Pattinson also hoping to be in the mix.
The 14-man squad features pacemen Ryan Harris and Brett Lee while Victorian batsman David Hussey has earned a recall after missing the ODI series in South Africa.
Xavier Doherty is the sole spinner while Marsh’s younger brother Mitchell has been selected although he’ll miss the first two matches to play a Shield game for Western Australia.
Australian ODI squad: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Ricky Ponting, Peter Forrest, Dan Christian, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade, Brett Lee, Ryan Harris, Mitch Starc, Xavier Doherty, Clint McKay, Mitch Marsh.