Haddin recalled to Australia side

SYDNEY - Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was recalled to the Australian side for Sunday’s Twenty20 clash with Sri Lanka in Perth.

Haddin, along with Peter Siddle, was recalled to the national team after a lengthy lay-off. But veteran speedster Brett Lee, who is still in the early stages of his comeback from injury, missed out.

Haddin missed tours of England and India due to an elbow injury, and has not played for Australia since the World Twenty20 final in May.

Wicketkeeping great Rodney Marsh questioned whether Haddin would be able to earn an automatic recall as Tasmania’s Tim Paine, with a pair of half-centuries in the recently completed two-Test series against India, has since performed with such distinction.

“It is unfortunate for Tim Paine, having played so well for Australia recently, to miss out on this squad but Brad has made a very good recovery from his elbow injury, and is an established member of our side in all forms of the game,” chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said.

Siddle broke down with stress fractures in his back last summer but has made an encouraging return with Victoria this season, playing in all three forms of the game.

“Peter is a key bowler in all forms of the game, and has made a return from injury, and is now ready to take his place in this Australia Twenty20 squad,” Hilditch said.

Australia: David Warner, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White, David Hussey, Steve Smith, John Hastings, Steve O’Keefe, Peter Siddle, Clint McKay, Dirk Nannes

Sri Lanka: (from) Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Jeevan Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thisara Perera, Dammika Prasad, Chamara Silva, Upul Tharanga