Allrounder Shane Watson says selectors need to clarify whether Brad Haddin has been dropped or rested from Australia’s one-day team.

The 34-year-old wicketkeeper was again left out of Australia’s 14-man squad on Tuesday for Friday’s clash with Sri Lanka at the SCG and Sunday’s match with India in Brisbane, increasing speculation he’s been axed in favour of Victorian replacement Matthew Wade.

And Watson, who is making his comeback from the calf injury which ruled him out of the Test summer alongside Haddin in this week’s Sheffield Shield clash for NSW against Western Australia, says it’s unfair to leave his team-mate’s status in the air.

“I actually feel really sorry for Brad at the moment. He’s been left in a bit of limbo unfortunately,” Watson told reporters on Wednesday.

“He doesn’t know which way he’s going, whether he’s being rested or dropped … someone who’s played an important role over the last five years in all forms of the game for Australia I think definitely deserves to be told either way what his future holds.

“If I was in that same situation, I’d be pretty disappointed.”

Watson says Haddin is far from finished at international level and the uncertainty over his position might be part of the reason he’s struggled to find form for Australia in recent months.

“It’s important for him just to know which direction he’s going,” Watson said.

“There’s no doubt that I think he’s still got a fair bit of cricket left in him. He’s a very talented cricketer – he’s still very fit and hungry.

“I think this mental burden that’s there of not knowing either way has maybe taken its toll a little bit.”