Aussies hit by Haddin Test retirement ahead of 4th ODI against England
Published:
Although he quit One Day Internationals earlier this year, Australia’s veteran wicket-keeper Brad Haddin has now called time on his Test career ahead of the fourth ODI against England at Headingley.
Coral make the hosts 11/10 to follow up their Old Trafford victory and level this series at two apiece, having beaten the Aussies to regain The Ashes in August.
Haddin, who confirmed he will only play in the Twenty20 Big Blast league hereafter, said: “I’ve enjoyed the 17 years and am comfortable with my decision. I’ve had a privileged run, but I lost the hunger on The Ashes tour. It was an easy decision to retire.”
Despite losing the 37-year-old from all forms of international cricket, Australia are odds-on 8/11 favourites to wrap up this ODI series with a match to spare by winning in Leeds.
England’s One Day captain Eoin Morgan, meanwhile, has hailed the impact of spin bowlers Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid on proceedings after wrapping up a 93-run victory at Old Trafford. “Handing the ball to our spin twins was quite easy,” he said. “They didn’t bowl any bad balls and they took advantage of the conditions.”
With seven wickets in three ODIs so far, Rashid is a fantastic 4/1 shout to be best with the ball for the hosts. The Aussies, meanwhile, have pace bowler Pat Cummins in top form with eight victims this series, so he is a terrific 3/1 to be their top man again.
James Taylor’s Old Trafford ton helped him become leading England batsman with 193 runs from three outings in this campaign, narrowly ahead of captain Morgan. Odds of 4/1 are tempting for Taylor to be best at the crease again, while Morgan is 7/2 to lead by example with the bat.
Australia skipper Steve Smith has taken to leadership well, since succeeding Michael Clarke after The Ashes with 139 runs in the ODI series to date, and is a 5/2 chance to be the tourists’ leading run-scorer at Headingley.
Coral’s top tips: Bowling wincasts are the way forward here with clever Cummins an awesome 11/2 to aid the Aussies in victory by doing most to skittle out England. Alternatively, rampant Rashid appeals to do likewise at a nifty 9/1.
