Haddin ready to take reins for Twenty20

Michael Clarke's stand-in leadership will be passed on to Brad Haddin for the final game of Australia's limited-overs campaign against Pakistan. Clarke took over from Ricky Ponting and guided the side to a series win, but he will head home a few days early to rest ahead of the engagements in England over the next four months.

Andrew Hilditch, the national selection panel (NSP) chairman, said Clarke's return would give the player extra time to prepare for the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 and the Ashes. "The NSP has recommended Michael be released from the last Twenty20 game of Australia's tour of the United Arab Emirates," he said. "This will allow him a few additional days at home before the squads depart for the ICC World Twenty20 and the Ashes series."

Ponting, Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson missed the contest in the United Arab Emirates to recharge and the squad will reconvene at a camp on the Sunshine Coast on May 24. Clarke guided the team after their first-up loss in Dubai and capped his campaign with 66 and 100 in the victories in the third and fourth games.

Haddin led Australia in the Twenty20 win against New Zealand in February when Clarke was injured and Ponting and Hussey were being rested. If anyone in the squad deserves a break it is Haddin, who has played every game for Australia in 2008-09.