Dropped for Oz-England 20-20s, Haddin says decision odd and confusing

SYDNEY - Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has joined the rest of nation in trying to understand the decisions made by the National Selection Panel (NSP) before and during the Ashes series that has just concluded Down Under.

Haddin has become the first player to echo the thoughts of cricket fans around the country branding selection chairman Andrew Hilditch’s decisions “odd” and “confusing”.

Haddin said that he is still to get over the fact that he had been punted from the Twenty20 matches against England in Adelaide and Melbourne for younger gloveman Tim Paine.

What really angered him was that days earlier, Hilditch had rated him the best glove-man in the land across all three formats of the game.

“I have to be honest, being dropped from the team when the chairman of selectors says you’re the best player for the position was odd, it was very odd,” Haddin said.

He added: “I definitely want to play all three forms. I had a long time out of the game with my elbow. My body feels good and my mind is good, and you want every chance you get to play for Australia.”

Haddin is the first high-profile victim of Australia’s Ashes debacle, despite being one of perhaps three Aussies who performed up to scratch during the 3-1 series loss to England.

Asked if he would front Hilditch about his dumping, Haddin said: “I don’t think so. I think we’re confused enough as it is, and we have a one-day series and World Cup to get our heads around.

“But I won’t lie. It was very odd being told you’re left out when [you're also told] you’re the best player for the position.” (ANI)