Injury forces Haddin out of England ODIs

Australia's wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been ruled out of the five-ODI series against England starting later this month due to an elbow injury that prevents him from picking up a bat. Tim Paine, the Tasmania gloveman, will take Haddin's place in the one-dayers and will be in line for a Test debut if Haddin fails to recover in time for the two Tests against Pakistan in July.

Haddin said the problem flared up three months ago when he smashed a century against New Zealand in a one-dayer, but didn't have enough time off the game to give his elbow sufficient rest.

''It's like having tennis elbow,'' Haddin told the Sun Herald. ''It has gradually deteriorated to the point where I can't hold a bat. The frustrating thing about it is I can still wicketkeep - everything else is fine - but I can't pick up a cricket bat and to play cricket you have to be able to bat.

"I had to wait a bit after the [Twenty20] World Cup to allow it calm down, it [the tendon] was pretty angry because we played constant cricket. I have to basically get the strength back into it [the tendon] and see how it responds.''

Australia play England between June 22 and July 3 before taking on Pakistan for two Twenty20s and two Tests. Though Haddin was confident of recovering in time to take on Pakistan, he was keen not to rush back too soon and would be focusing largely on the Ashes at home in November-December.

''I'm hopeful I can be ready for Pakistan, but if I'm not I'll have eight weeks to get the strength back [in time for the Australian summer],'' Haddin said. ''I have a series of exercises that are designed to do that."

Australia's physio Alex Kountouris added: "Brad has been struggling with tendon elbow pain (tennis elbow) while batting during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup. As with most tendon injuries, time is required to allow the pain to settle and gradually increase the tendon load.

"As such, Brad will not be taking part in the ODI matches against Ireland and England. His availability for the Twenty20 internationals and Tests matches against Pakistan in the UK will be dependent on his progress over the next few weeks."

Paine's call-up to the one-day team has also allowed Matthew Wade, the Victoria wicketkeeper, to take his place in the Australia A squad to take on Sri Lanka A later this month. The promotion of Wade, 22, is a strong indication that Graham Manou has fallen down the pecking order despite making his Test debut in the Ashes last year.