Melbourne, Sep 13 - Recently retired Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin on Sunday admitted that his teammates were "shocked" when he did not regain his place for the third Ashes Test having opted out of the second for family reasons but denied it caused any unrest that derailed the campaign.
Haddin suggested that selectors may have erred in taking an ageing team on the Ashes and Caribbean Test tours, including himself, but has backed Australian cricket to demonstrate its depth and ability to rebound strongly, a sports website reported.
The 37-year-old, who played 66 Tests, said he "couldn't be more happy" to have ended his international career and dismissed reports of unrest following his exclusion in favour of Peter Nevill.
"I knew once I made that decision (to miss the second Test at Lord's) I put myself in a vulnerable position," Haddin said.
"No matter what the reason you pull out of a Test match, it's a big business these days and Australia performed outstanding in that Lord's Test. I don't think that (player unrest) was the case at all.
“I think there were people that were shocked with the decision but you're also in a professional sport these days and if you put yourself in that vulnerable position to walk away you've got to live with the consequences."
(IANS)