Brad Haddin excited by Test call-up

Brad Haddin is back in Australia’s Test side for the first time in 14 months and the 43-Test veteran knows his time in the sun may be only brief.

Matthew Wade – Haddin’s replacement in the baggy green – has established himself as the side’s No.1 gloveman in his 11-match career.

However Wade has been left out of the team for Thursday’s third Test against India in Mohali with a sore ankle, opening the door for Haddin to play his 44th Test after arriving in India earlier this week on standby for Wade.

Haddin said on Thursday his main focus was simply to get Michael Clarke’s side back into the series in their bid to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, after losing the first two matches in the four-match contest.

“It’s a big Test match here if the rain stops,” Haddin said.

“And from where we are in the series there’s no second chance here.

“We’ve got to get a result to draw a series.”

Haddin’s allround skills as a wicketkeeper/batsman will be crucial to Australia’s hopes of fighting back after two drubbings in Chennai and Hyderabad.

“The beauty of Test cricket, this is where you want to test yourself, playing in foreign countries,” Haddin said.

“So it’s good to be back on this stage again and testing yourself out in the middle on challenging wickets.

“I haven’t watched too much. I’ve watched bits and pieces.

“But I’ve played over here before so I know exactly what to expect and I’m excited by the chance.”

While Haddin may find himself back on the sidelines for the fourth Test in Delhi on March 22, a big game with the bat could boost his chances of playing in Delhi.

Either way, the NSW right-hander is likely to be picked in Australia’s Ashes squad for the series in July, as a back-up gloveman and/or reserve batsman.