Neville to replace Haddin on West Indies tour

Sydney, Mar 16 (ANI): Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is returning home from the tour of the West Indies for personal reasons and will be replaced by Peter Nevill.

Nevill will serve as Matthew Wade's understudy, meaning the Victorian keeper is almost certain to make his Test debut against the West Indies next month.

Haddin, 34, has been in the Caribbean for less than a week with the Australian squad, which will begin their limited-overs campaign there with the first of five one-day internationals tonight, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Cricket Australia and Haddin's management are not commenting on the exact nature of his unexpected departure from the tour, saying only that it is for personal reasons.

Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young confirmed the news on Twitter this morning: "Yes, Brad Haddin is returning from Windies for personal reasons. There will no further comment from or on his behalf."

Haddin was in the West Indies effectively as a back up for the one-day and Twenty20 matches there, with Victoria's Matthew Wade having taken his 50-over place in the recent tri-series in Australia, The Herald reports.

However, he was expected to resume his spot for the three upcoming Tests, the first of which begins in Barbados on April 7.

Cricket Australia national selector John Inverarity said: "Brad Haddin is in transit returning to Australia for personal reasons and has the full support of CA, the NSP [National Selection Panel] and his teammates in so doing. We hope that Brad will be able to rejoin the squad in the West Indies in the not too distant future.

"The NSP has selected Peter Nevill as Brad's replacement and Peter will head to the West Indies as soon as possible." (ANI)