Haddin has been Nevill's mentor since the 29-year-old shifted from Melbourne to Sydney in 2008.
If Haddin fails to get back on the park for Australia it would be among the more unfitting ends to any sportsperson's career - let alone a 66-test veteran.
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 said. "Then maybe at the end of the series or when he doesn't redeem himself - then we can move to Nevill."
Australia opener Chris Rogers came through a testing session yesterday in the nets at the hands of his own teammates and is set to play in the third test against England at Edgbaston, starting tonight.
The five-test series is tied 1-1 after England surprised many by winning the opener in Cardiff before Australia inflicted a massive 405-run defeat on the hosts at Lord's with a double century from Steve Smith.
England responded calmly to that embarrassment, recalling in-form Jonny Bairstow at No 5 after dropping his fellow Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance. Despite Ian Bell's miserable run, England have promoted him to bat at No 3 on his Warwickshire home ground.
"It's a brutal environment, you have to perform. I know I haven't performed to the best of my ability in the last two months," Bell said.
"It's a good opportunity to take some responsibility and score some runs."
As for Rogers, he's "good to go", says Mitchell Starc, one of several Australian pace bowlers operating at full speed in practice against the 37-year-old batsman.
Rogers retired hurt in the second innings at Lord's and sat out the tour match against Derbyshire where his understudy Shaun Marsh made a century.
Rogers has been diagnosed with an inner ear balance problem, but cleared of concussion.
Starc did not hold back in the nets against Rogers.
"If everyone is bowling full tilt, and he gets through that, then he is ready to go - all reports are that he is," Starc said, adding that he, Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood were ready to resume the bombardment of England.
"I hope there is a bit of pace in this wicket and it is a bit harder than the other ones we have played on," Starc said. "The short stuff will definitely be on the menu."
One prominent target will be Bell, whose scores in his last 12 innings include two ducks and five dismissals for a single.
He is, however, a four-time Ashes winner with 22 test centuries and a test average of over 43.
Joe Root, who had a rare stumble at Lord's with 1 and 17, is up to fourth from his accustomed No 5 spot.
"It's about making sure we do everything we can to build big partnerships and put them back under pressure," Root said of England's top order.
England seamer Mark Wood bowled at full pace in the nets and is expected to be fit.
- AAP, AP
