Former cricket captain Ricky Ponting says Australian wicket keeper Brad Haddin has “paid the price” for putting his family first.

The veteran and vice-captain will not return to the team for the third Ashes Test, with his second Test replacement Peter Nevill retaining his spot behind the stumps.

Despite Nevill’s solid performance on debut, Ponting says the selectors’ decision to freeze Haddin out for Edgbaston is the wrong call.

“I am disappointed with the decision to leave Brad Haddin out of the Test team for Edgbaston,” Ponting wrote in The Australian.

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“All reports suggest he would have played at Lord’s but he made the only and right decision to be with his daughter Mia who was very ill in hospital and missed that match.”

“He rightfully put his family first and has paid the price for it.”

Peter Nevill had 7 dismissals on debut and scored 45 runs at Lords. Photo: Getty

Haddin, who turns 38 in October, seems unlikely to feature in the five-Test series unless Nevill suffers an injury.

There is no word on Haddin’s potential retirement plans, but the keeper waited until two months after the World Cup to announce his one-day career was over.

He is expected to transition into coaching at the end of his playing career.

Haddin has mentored 29-year-old Nevill since he shifted from Melbourne to Sydney in 2008, captain Michael Clarke said.

“He still wants to play, that’s for sure, and he has a great relationship with Nev,” Clarke said.

“I think he sees his role over the last couple of days, leading up to this Test, to help Nev as much as possible.

“They are really good friends, so there’s certainly no lack of respect there.

“Hads will certainly wish Nev all the best and hope he does well, and if there’s an injury or there’s another opportunity then I know he’ll be ready.

“I love the fact that he’s still here working hard.”

The five-Test series is currently level at 1-1, with the third Test to start on Wednesday at 8pm AEST.

Clarke confirmed Haddin was set to play at Lord’s prior to making himself unavailable.

“It’s a tough one when you sit in the middle, but that’s the way the selectors have gone and I respect their decision,” Clarke said.

“Nev made the most of his opportunity in the second Test.

“I’ve really loved having him (Haddin) as vice-captain and he’s performed exceptionally well.”

Ian Healy, who kept for Australia in 99 Tests, termed Haddin’s shunning a “harsh call”.

“I’d like him to have a chance to redeem his Cardiff performance,” Healy told Fox Sports.

“Then maybe at the end of the series or when he doesn’t redeem himself – then we can move to Nevill,” Healy said.

– with AAP