Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been given one Test in the West Indies to survive Matthew Wade’s challenge for his spot.
Haddin will take the gloves for the first Test with Wade waiting in the wings as part of a 16-man Test squad for the Windies tour announced on Wednesday.
Left-arm spinner Michael Beer was included in the squad, with reserve batsman Peter Forrest the only tourist yet to win a baggy green cap.
Vice-captain Shane Watson is expected to fill the troublesome No.3 batting spot following the omission of Shaun Marsh.
Haddin has already lost his one-day berth to Wade but Australian selector Rod Marsh indicated he would keep his Test position – for now.
“Obviously, the first Test team will be selected after the one-dayers. A lot will depend on what happens in the one-dayers, no doubt,” Marsh told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday.
“But if I wanted to place a punt on it, I would say Haddin will play in the first Test match, as he should.
“And we’ll wait and see what happens after that.”
Marsh, a 96-Test gloveman, gave Haddin’s performance in the home Test series against India a pass mark.
“I didn’t think he performed badly at all,” Marsh said.
“He didn’t make as many runs as he would have liked and probably as we would have liked.
“I can recall him dropping one or two catches which, over a summer of six Test matches, that happens.
“He’s probably not been at the peak of his form but he’s a hell of a good cricketer.
” … He has got very a good record for Australia and I just hope he performs really well in the West Indies because, if he performs well, we’re going to be a better side.”
Captain Michael Clarke was expected to overcome a hamstring strain and be fit for the Test series.
Marsh said Australia, ranked the fourth best Test nation, had a simple goal against the lowly Windies, who are ranked above only New Zealand and Bangladesh.
“Expectations are to win and win well,” he said.
“It’s very important for us to win well because I don’t think we need to make any excuses about wanting to be No.1 again.
“It’s important for Australian cricket that we play very well over there and the boys will be going real hard.”
Test squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Michael Beer, Ed Cowan, Peter Forrest, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner
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