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Form left me vulnerable: Haddin

Australian wicketkeeper-batsman said he put himself in the position to be overlooked during the Ashes

Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin says his disappointing form with the bat left him vulnerable to the selectors' axe when he opted out of the second Ashes Test last month.

Haddin played the opening Test against England in Cardiff before he informed selectors he would not play the second Test at Lord's due to family reasons.

Selectors replaced him with Peter Nevill, Haddin's long-time understudy at club and state level, and they were impressed enough that they persisted with the 29-year-old for the rest of the series even when Haddin had made himself available again.

The 37-year-old Haddin, who is now back in Australia and weighing up his future in the game, says his recent form meant he was no guarantee to return to the side after Lord's.

"I put myself in that position to not come back, my performances with the bat probably hadn't been where they should be," Haddin told Fairfax.

"I made the decision for my family that I was unavailable for the Lord's Test. We're playing a professional sport and I understand the consequences that come with that. My performances with the bat over the last little bit put myself into that position."

Selectors Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann had both agonised over the decision to not bring Haddin back into the side, with coach Lehmann saying it was "the hardest decision I’ve had to make as a coach, or even as a player".

Quick Single: Marsh says Haddin an 'amazingly hard call'

Australian Test legends Ian Healy, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Shane Warne all criticised the decision, but Lehmann said Haddin's recent form with the bat had not justified selection.

Since Haddin's brilliant 2013-14 Ashes campaign, he scored one half-century from 12 Tests and averaged 15.24 in that time.

Nevill impressed at Lord's with seven catches, a record for an Ashes debutant, and looked assured with scores of 45 and 59 in the second and third Tests.

Watch: Nevill's seven dismissals on Test debut

Retired captain Michael Clarke said before his final Test at The Oval that he didn't expect Haddin to return to the Test side, but the man himself said he will take a few weeks before making a decision on his future.

Quick Single: Clarke discusses his teammates' futures

The 14-year international veteran retired from ODI cricket following Australia's successful World Cup campaign earlier this year.

He said he wasn't surprised by Clarke's decision to retire from Test cricket after the Ashes, which Australia lost 3-2.

"Michael's been a great player for Australia for a long time and I think he's stated in the past that you play for these big tournaments, like an Ashes campaign," he said.

"I think once they're not there, he's given the opportunity to (new captain) Steve Smith to build his team.

"Michael's had a fantastic run, his record speaks for itself.

"I wasn't that shocked to see him go after the Ashes, he's done everything in his career and there was nothing left to achieve, so he deserves to hold his head high and enjoy retirement.

"I think the most important thing with Steve taking over is that he's at the top of his game with the bat.

"He doesn't have to second guess himself, his form with the bat over the past 12 months has been nothing short of outstanding.

"He will grow into his leadership and he's got a chance to mould the Test and one-day team the way he likes leading into some big tournaments."