SYDNEY — Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been reinstated as Australia's vice captain as selectors look to add some experience to their side ahead of the first of back-to-back Ashes series against England. The 35-year-old had been dumped from the Test team last year, with Matthew Wade promoted in his stead, as Australia introduced younger players in a bid to regain the Ashes from Alastair Cook's side in their five-Test series starting at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on July 10. “The most impressive thing about Brad is that he ... continues to put form on the board,” Australia captain Michael Clarke told a news conference in Sydney Wednesday. “His leadership and his experience will play a large part in this group ... the best teams in the world have a good mix of youth and experience and I think this squad of 16 has that mix.” The international retirement of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey over the Australian summer drained Clarke's team of experience, while Shane Watson's decision to stand down from the vice captaincy created a leadership vacuum. Chairman of selectors John Inverarity said the decision to include both Wade and Haddin, with the latter going as the number one wicketkeeper, had firmed up “about a week ago”. Veteran batsmen Chris Rogers, who played his only Test against India in Perth in 2008, was also recalled after strong form in domestic cricket and while playing first-class cricket in England over the last few seasons. Squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Brad Haddin (vice captain), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Chris Rogers, Matthew Wade, Nathan Lyon, James Faulkner, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird. — Reuters
