Haddin Promoted To Captaincy Due To Clarke Injury

Haddin Promoted To Captaincy Due To Clarke Injury

Brad Haddin (right) will captain Brad Haddin in Sydney.

©REUTERS/Tim Wimborne (AUSTRALIA) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Brad Haddin is to captain Australia in Sunday's Twenty20 International against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground as Michael Clarke misses out due to a back injury.

Victorian opening batsman Rob Quiney replaces Clarke in the squad which has been reduced to 12 following the decision to rest Mitchell Johnson who has an ankle injury.

Cameron White will be vice-captain for the day.

"It's unfortunate that Michael Clarke has been forced to miss the game due to injury," CA National Selection Panel chief Andrew Hilditch said.

"Given the side leaves for South Africa the morning after the game in Sydney, there was really no alternative but to take a conservative approach to management of this minor injury.

"It does present a great opportunity for Rob Quiney to join the Australian squad. Rob has performed well in Twenty20 cricket this year, with probably the highlight being his excellent innings in the KFC Big Bash final.

"Mitchell has not been replaced in the squad as we consider a squad of twelve for the game is adequate given the bowling strength available within the group."

Australia team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: "Michael Clarke has been experiencing back pain since the one-day game in Adelaide this week. While he's made some improvement over the last 3 or 4 days, the decision has been made to withdraw him from the Twenty20 game on Sunday in order to maximise his recovery time in advance of Australia's VB Tour of South Africa.

"Mitchell has a niggling injury to his right ankle, which has been causing him discomfort. He has received a cortisone injection and will rest the ankle in advance of the VB Tour of South Africa. He is expected to be available for selection for the first game of that tour."

Get the latest from from Cricket World® with Facebook, twitter and YouTube

.