Share

Haddin wants end to Ashes hurt

Nottingham - Australia's Brad Haddin said Monday the tourists are desperate to end their Ashes "hurt" when they face England in the latest edition of Test cricket's oldest rivalry.

The familiar foes begin a five-match series at Nottingham's Trent Bridge ground on Wednesday with England bidding for a third straight series win over Australia - something they last managed in the 1950s - after a home success in 2009 was followed by a first triumph 'Down Under' in 24 years in 2011.

But vice-captain Haddin hopes the pain of those reverses will help fuel Australia's bid to reclaim the urn.

"It hurts and that won't go away," the wicket-keeper said at Trent Bridge on Monday in an interview broadcast on Sky Sports.

"We'd love to make amends for that in this series and our progress over the last few weeks has been good.

"Now we're just excited about one of the Tests being in a couple of days' time.

"I think it's important to live in the moment, there's no point worrying what's gone before.

"We can sit and talk about some great games in Australian cricket and English cricket, but it's now about another exciting Test series in a couple of days' time.

"It's a new campaign now.

"New dreams are made and new experiences are about to be had so it's important we move forward and enjoy this for what it is."

Haddin was less forthright about what role, if any, David Warner would play in Nottingham after he was suspended from Australia's warm-up matches but cleared to play in the first Test after punching England's Joe Root in a Birmingham bar last month.

Usually an opening batsman, Warner's Trent Bridge prospects appeared to suffer a setback when new Australia coach Darren Lehmann, brought in after Mickey Arthur was sacked just 16 days before the Ashes, named Shane Watson and the recalled Chris Rogers as his first wicket pair.

But there has since been speculation Warner could bat elsewhere in the order.

However, Haddin -- due in at number seven -- said: "I don't know the team now.

"I can speculate on a lot of things but I don't know the team.

"I know the openers, and I know who's batting seventh.

"He's got as good a chance as anyone in the squad but I haven't been in discussions with him.

"Everyone's excited about the campaign.

"It's not hard to get up for a series like this.

"This is the biggest series that you play from a player's point of view.

"It's not hard to come together and enjoy the moment with an Ashes series about to start."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1817 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1777 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE