Haddin not losing sleep over Ashes

Brad Haddin admits he is not worrying about losing his fitness race to play for Australia (8/11 to win the series) in the Ashes opener against England next month.

The 33-year-old wicketkeeper is making a comeback after struggling with a persistent tendon problem in his elbow. The injury has meant he has not played for Australia (6/1 to win series 2-1) since May.

During his time out of the side, Tasmanian youngster Tim Paine has impressed filling his place for Australia.

An average of 35 with the bat in four recent Tests against Pakistan and India went some way to show what he could offer for Australia against England (11/5 to win Ashes, 4/1 drawn series) if Haddin fails to recover for the start of the Ashes.

Haddin is on the comeback trail now and scored 56 for New South Wales on Friday, but still critics Down Under have stated he faces an uphill battle to unseat Pain for the first Test in Brisbane. (Australia 10/11 to win first Test)

"In all honesty I haven't worried about everyone else, I can only worry that I'm available to play," said the player.

"I've spent that long out of the game and played with this (elbow injury) for so long beforehand, nobody has crossed my thought process.

He added "I think things are starting to go in right direction, getting into the rhythm of playing cricket again. The elbow feels good."

The first Ashes Test starts in Brisbane on November 25th, before the teams travel to Adelaide a week later for the second.