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'Harsh call' if Haddin's left out

Legendary 'keeper Ian Healy has backed Brad Haddin with reports the latter will be left out of the third Test XI

Ian Healy has called for Brad Haddin to be handed back his spot in Australia's Ashes XI, amid reports the veteran Test wicketkeeper won't be picked for the third Test in favour of Peter Nevill.

Signs have pointed to Nevill's retention for the Test in Edgbaston from Wednesday following his impressive debut at Lord's, when he scored a polished 45 and snared seven catches.

That performance has prompted calls for a permanent change, a move apparently in the works last week when Nevill took the gloves ahead of Haddin against Derbyshire.

The 29-year-old also batted at No.6 above Shane Watson and Haddin in the warm-up match, though he managed only a solitary run.

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Rod Marsh chats to Brad Haddin recently // Getty Images

On Tuesday News Corp Australia reported Nevill's re-selection was a done deal, with national selectors having already made the difficult decision to leave Haddin out as Australia attempt to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

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In his exclusive blog for cricket.com.au, Australia coach Darren Lehmann indicated that the National Selection Panel would not flinch if a tough decision needed to be made.

"One of the other big talking points ahead of Wednesday will be the wicketkeeper’s position in our team, with Peter Nevill making his Test debut at Lord’s when ‘Hadds’ was unavailable," Lehmann wrote.

"We are yet to finalise our XI for Edgbaston so all I can say is that we, as a selection panel, will make the decision that we believe is in the best interests of the team and that gives us the right balance for the conditions that we’ll face in the Test.

"If we have to make a tough call then that’s what we’ll do, but that won’t happen until we see how everyone shapes up over the next couple of days and we get a look at the conditions which will allow us to make a solid call on every position from one to 11."

But former Australian Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy is adamant Haddin should not lose his spot just yet.

"I think that's a harsh call on Brad Haddin," he told Fox Sports.

"I'd like him to have a chance to redeem his Cardiff performance and then maybe at the end of the series - or when he doesn't redeem himself - then we can move to Nevill.

"But the good thing is we know our next position as a wicketkeeper is all set."

READ: Nevill's thoughts with Haddin

Legendary 'keeper Ian Healy says Brad Haddin's job was made harder in Cardiff on day one due to the pitch, but admits he had a tough day

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