Ricky Ponting and Ian Healy say axing wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for the third Ashes Test is a mistake, while Matthew Hayden called it “outrageous”.
Haddin, the vice-captain, has been overlooked in favour of the younger Peter Nevill, who impressed on his international debut in the second Test at lord’s after the 37-year-old pulled out to be with his sick daughter Mia.
Former captain Ponting said the decision did not sit well with him.
“I am disappointed with the decision to leave Haddin out of the Test team for Edgbaston,” he said in a column for The Australian newspaper, adding that he was “the heart and soul of the team”.
“All reports suggest he would have played at lord’s but he made the right decision to be with his daughter Mia who was very ill and missed that match.
“I know it would have been a hard call for him, he has been a single-minded and determined servant of Australian cricket, but he put his family first and has paid the price for it.
“He won’t complain about being dropped. He is a tough character but it doesn’t sit right with me.”
The decision was made by on-tour selector Rod Marsh and coach Darren lehmann.
Haddin’s daughter reportedly suffers from neuroblastoma — a form of cancer that attacks children aged five years or younger.
Haddin, who turns 38 in October, with Nevill now seemingly having the chance to make the Test place his own.
Hayden was even more outspoken, questioning the precedent set by selectors.
“After the hell he’s gone through it is outrageous that Haddin hasn’t gotten his spot back,” he wrote in a column for news.Com.Au.