Oz selectors give Wade nod over veteran Haddin for Gabba Test

Cricket Australia has named wicketkeeper Matthew Wade ignoring veteran Brad Haddin for the first Test match against South Africa at Gabba, starting on November 9.

Sydney: Cricket Australia (CA) has named wicketkeeper Matthew Wade ignoring veteran Brad Haddin for the first Test match against South Africa at Gabba, starting on November 9,

Australia`s 12-man squad includes an expected top-six batting lineup, with Ed Cowan to open with David Warner, Shane Watson at No.3, the 165-Test veteran Ricky Ponting at No.4 followed by skipper Michael Clarke and another veteran, 37-year-old Mike Hussey. The 43-Test veteran Haddin`s last appearance in the baggy green was in Adelaide against India in January 2012 before missing the West Indies tour in April for family reasons. "As is widely known Brad returned to Australia early in the tour due to family circumstances and as a consequence Matthew was our Test `keeper for the three Test matches," John Inverarity was quoted as saying by a news agency. "He kept and batted very well and made a match-defining brilliant century in the second innings of the third and final Test against West Indies,” he said. Wade, 24, made his debut in Barbados on April 7 and posted a century in the third Test in Dominica. The Hobart-born Wade`s 106 was the only century by an Australian player in the series. Inverarity`s panel of five selectors, which includes skipper Clarke and coach Mickey Arthur, are believed to be considering an all-pace attack if the Gabba shows signs of being a green-top pitch. Spinner Nathan Lyon has been included in the squad with pace bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc. ANI