Australia’s Haddin succumbs to Paine for Pakistan series

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Australia wicketkeeper Brad  Haddin has been ruled out of next month’s test series against  Pakistan after losing his race to recover from an elbow injury,  Cricket Australia said yesterday.

Haddin will be replaced by Tim Paine for the two-test  series, which is to be held in Britain next month.

Paine had already replaced Haddin for the limited-over  series against England, which began on Tuesday with the home  side winning the first match at the Rose Bowl by four wickets.

“We had hoped to give Brad Haddin as much time as possible  to prove his fitness for this series,” Cricket Australia doctor  Trefor James said. “But after specialist review today in Sydney  it is now clear his elbow tendon injury has not improved  sufficiently for him to be selected.”

Haddin said he was still feeling pain when batting and was  advised not to play in the test series.

“Unfortunately yesterday I hit about six balls and could  still feel some pain,” he said.

“After seeing the specialist in Sydney today he has advised  me that the best course of action is to take a slow and steady  approach to getting it right.

“Now that I have time on my hands, the specialist and I are  very confident I can let the injury repair itself in normal  time and be ready to go for our next tour to India in October.”

The two tests against Pakistan will take place at Lords  (July 13-17) and Headingley (July 21-25).