SYDNEY – Cameron White was named as skipper of Australia’s team on Friday for next week’s two Twenty20 internationals with England after the sudden retirement of Michael Clarke.
Clarke announced he was quitting international T20 cricket immediately after Australia’s humiliating Ashes series loss to England on Friday, saying he wanted to improve his Test form.
Brad Haddin, Clarke’s vice-captain in the Sydney Test, was left out of the T20 team for younger wicketkeeper rival Tim Paine, who will be the team deputy to White. “Michael’s decision is a personal one and done for the right reasons for him,” chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said.
“The reality is he’s a critical player for us moving forward, playing all three forms of the game. “Michael hasn’t had a break in a long time, so creating a window for him to get time off cricket is a good idea, but that was Michael’s decision.
“If Michael thought he was ready he would play all three forms of the game.”
Hilditch said selectors were using the opportunity to play Paine and it was not a reflection on Haddin’s form.
“We’ll take opportunities to give Tim Paine a chance at international cricket,” he said. “We don’t want when Brad finally moves on, whenever that will be, to have the next player not having played enough cricket.
“This is an opportunity. Brad Haddin had a great Ashes series.” Shane Watson, Steven Smith and Mitchell Johnson are the only members of Australia’s Test team selected for the T20 games in Adelaide on January 12 and Melbourne on January 14. Australia – Cameron White (capt), Tim Paine (vice-capt), Aaron Finch, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Stephen O’Keefe, James Pattinson, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Shane Watson.
