Mohali, Mar 11: Australia's woes in the ongoing tour of India mounted on Monday as they were forced to call in Brad Haddin as cover for wicket-keeper Matthew Wade, who has sprained his right ankle and is in doubt for the third Test starting on March 14.
"Cricket Australia (CA) advises that Matthew Wade's scans have confirmed a sprained right ankle. Given the uncertainty of Wade's availability, Brad Haddin will fly from Australia to Mohali today to join the squad," CA said in a statement.
The visiting side trails 0-2 in the four-match series. Wade had injured his ankle while playing basketball on Saturday.
"Matt has a complex ankle injury which has been confirmed by the scans and at this stage is in doubt for the Third Test starting on Thursday. A final decision on whether he will be available for the third Test will be made closer to the match," Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.
Wade was in doubt before the second Test as well after he fractured his cheek bone during training but played through pain and scored a 62 in the first innings.
He has been Australia's first-choice wicket-keeper since last April's tour of West Indies when Haddin left the series midway to be with his ailing daughter.
The 35-year-old Haddin has the experience of playing in India as he was a part of the side that toured in 2008.
He has been in good form in the domestic circuit having scored 468 runs at an average of 52.00 with two centuries in the Sheffield Shield.