Veteran Brad Haddin returns to Australia line-up after being named Ashes vice captain

The wicketkeeper has been named as Michael Clarke's deputy for the summer series in England in place of Shane Watson.

Australia cricket Brad Haddin trains in the nets. He has been named vice captain for Australia's Ashes tour.

Brad Haddin has been named as Australia vice captain for the upcoming Ashes series in England.

The 35-year-old wicketkeeper replaces Shane Watson, who stepped down as Michael Clarke's deputy after the troubled tour on India but remains part of the 16-man squad.

"We feel it's important to have a senior, seasoned player support Michael at this time," John Inverarity, national selector, said.

"When Shane Watson advised of his decision to stand down, the NSP (national selection panel) viewed Brad as the exceptional candidate to step into this leadership void."

Matthew Wade, who has been Australia's first-choice wicketkeeper of late, will also travel to England.

"Matthew Wade is a very good cricketer and remains central to our plans for the future," Inverarity added.

Left-arm seamer James Faulkner is the only uncapped player to be named, with Mitchell Johnson missing out.

Chris Rogers, the 35-year-old batsman who has just one Test cap to his name, also makes the squad and seamer Ryan Harris returns.

"Chris Rogers is a hardened first-class cricketer and has been given a deserved opportunity on the back of sustained run-scoring in both Australia and England over many seasons," said Inverarity.

"James Faulkner has also been given an opportunity after impressing in recent months as an all-rounder. His performance in last month's Bupa Sheffield Shield final was compelling and he has now produced three consistently good seasons with the ball at Shield level for Tasmania.

"He is a player who is seldom out of the game for long. He takes wickets, forms partnerships and makes valuable runs.

"Ryan Harris has regained fitness and it is great to have such a very highly regarded and well-performed pace bowler back in the mix."

Fawad Ahmed, the Pakistan-born leg-spinner who has not yet received his Australian passport, has not been included, leaving Nathan Lyon as the only spinner in the 16.

Ahmed also misses out on the 14-man Australia A squad to tour the British Isles ahead of the Ashes, which contains a number of players from the senior squad including Haddin, who will captain the side, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Harris, Jackson Bird and Nathan Lyon.

Steven Smith, who misses out on a place in the Ashes squad despite some creditable performances in India, is vice-captain of the A side.

Smith is one of five men to drop out from the India squad - along with Johnson, Moises Henriques, Xavier Doherty and Glenn Maxwell - which slipped to a 4-0 series defeat amid high-profile problems with discipline.

Inverarity added: "The tour to India was very demanding and a learning experience for all.

"The result was unacceptable and the players, coaches, support staff and NSP are smarting from those performances and are galvanised to ensure that we play tough, competitive cricket throughout the Ashes."

The first Ashes Test begins at Trent Bridge on July 10, with two tour matches before that, while Australia A will take on Scotland, Ireland and Gloucestershire, with the first match getting under way in Edinburgh on June 7.

Australia squad for the five-Test series Against England in July and August: Michael Clarke (C), Brad Haddin (VC), Jackson Bird, Ed Cowan, James Faulkner, Ryan Harris, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Australia A squad to tour the British Isles: Brad Haddin (C), Steve Smith (VC), Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan, Ryan Harris, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, James Pattinson, Chadd Sayers, Peter Siddle, Jordan Silk.

Follow us