Adam Gilchrist to miss VB Series matches in Adelaide and Melbourne, Brad Haddin called up

Cricket Australia today announced that wicket-keeper/batsman Adam Gilchrist will not take part in Australia's VB Series matches in Adelaide (26 January)and Melbourne (29 January) later this month.

Gilchrist will instead remain in Perth throughout that time, before rejoining the squad in the lead-up to Australia's match against India at Perth's WACA Ground on 1 February.

Twenty-six-year-old New South Welshman, Brad Haddin will be added to the squad for the two matches.

The decision to leave Gilchrist out of the Adelaide and Melbourne matches was made by National Selection Panel Chairman Trevor Hohns in conjunction with Australian Team Management and Cricket Australia General Manager of Cricket Operations, Michael Brown.

Trevor Hohns said: "As selectors we believe this break will benefit Adam as he sets himself for the rest of the VB Series and the challenging period that lies ahead.

"Given the sheer intensity of his position, this break should present him with the chance to freshen-up and take stock from the stresses and strains that are part and parcel with a wicket-keeper's job," he said.

Haddin, who is currently playing for New South Wales' Speed Blitz Blues in Perth, has made just the one appearance for Australia at one-day international level, replacing Gilchrist for the Carlton Series match against Zimbabwe at Hobart in January 2001.

He also toured with the Australian Test side in India in 2001, playing a first-class match against the Board President's XI at Delhi as a replacement for Gilchrist who had suffered a hip injury.

Upon Haddin's selection, Hohns said: Jimmy Maher has performed well as a fill-in for Adam Gilchrist on recent Australian tours, but on this occasion we have decided to go with a recognised wicket-keeper.

Brad Haddin's all-round game has improved immensely over the past 12 months and we felt that he deserved this chance.