Explosive device not linked to Haddin: Police

Police have confirmed an explosive device was recovered from outside the Sydney property of Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin but have stressed they believe the device was discarded at random and not directly linked to the cricketer or his family.

"There is nothing at this time to indicate this incident is anything other than random," Ryde Local Area Command Superintendent John Duncan said in a statement.

"The item is not sophisticated.

"All the indications at this stage of our investigation suggest that whoever had possession of this item has discarded it on the nature strip.

"I urge anyone with information about unusual or suspicious activity in the area yesterday to contact police or Crime Stoppers immediately."

Superintendent Duncan said a neighbour had first noticed the device on the nature strip in front of Haddin's Sydney address on Friday morning. The neighbour had gone to throw it in the bin later that day but became concerned and contacted police, who removed it for forensic analysis.

ABC News reported the device contained two butane canisters with a wick attached and that an attempt had been made to light it.

Haddin this week was withdrawn from the second Ashes Test at Lord's due to personal reasons, with Nine's Wide of World Sport commentators Mark Taylor and Ian Healy confirming on air ahead of the first day's play that Haddin's daughter Mia was in hospital.

Mia had previously been diagnosed in 2012 with neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. It saw Haddin abandon Australia's tour of the West Indies to return home to be with his family before his daughter's remission allowed him to make his Test return in mid-2013.

Haddin has remained in the UK with the Australian squad and captain Michael Clarke said ahead of the current Lord's Test he expected Haddin to play a further role in the Ashes series.

Karina Haddin's post captioned ''Family time now let the Ashes begin' // Instagram

The 37-year-old veteran of 62 Tests was accompanied by his family in the UK, with wife Karina posting a family photo on social media ahead of the 1st Test in Cardiff.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/

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