Ashes: Darren Lehmann explains dropping "very selfless" Brad Haddin

Darren Lehmann’s decision to drop Brad Haddin before the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston might have not affected the result of the international cricket series but the 37-year-old’s dismissal has surely displeased Australia’s cricketers. This move left them to wonder whether they will be receiving support in the future for being ruled out of Test cricket because of personal problems.

Lehmann, who has long declared a “family first” policy in Australia’s cricket team, has been widely criticised for dropping Haddin in the Ashes series against England. However, the 47-year-old has admitted the choice to withdraw Haddin was the most difficult decision he has made in his career.

"I know there’s been a very unbalanced view from a lot of people about it. We certainly care about Brad and his family, we had to make a decision on what we thought was the best XI for this particular game and Pete did a good job at Lord’s so it was very hard to change that side and did a good job in this game,” Lehmann said, according to Telegraph.

Lehmann confirmed that he openly talked with the team about dropping Haddin and how hard the decision was, adding that the move came down to the performance of the wicketkeepr, who played the last 12 Test matches and made 250 runs at 15, with 16 blowleds out of 21. The Australian coach also pointed out that the national cricket team still values family-related matters as top priority for the players, but admitted that the verdict was generally part of professional sport.

Australia has selected Peter Neville as replacement for Haddin ever since the Test at Lord’s. Neville retained his spot ahead of Haddin for Australia’s defeat at Edgbaston and will continue as wicketkeeper for the team’s clash at Trent Bridge on Thursday. The 29-year-old Neville revealed he has remained “focused” despite the noise surrounding his selection. Neville also admitted that Haddin has been helping him prepare for the Test matches, praising the veteran for being “very selfless,” according to the Guardian.

Meanwhile, Australia arrived in Nottingham on Monday with hopes of keeping their Ashes campaign alive. Team captain Michael Clarke, who has been struggling to deal with England’s bowlers in the series, started Australia’s preparations in the nets at Trent Bridge by playing rugby on the outfield, according to Daily Mail.

After losing the pivotal third Ashes Test, Australia has plenty of groundings to do to level the series with England in the fourth Test. While Australia is still the favourite to win the international cricket series, Lehmann’s team is under huge pressure following the eight-wicket loss at Edgbaston.

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