Explosive device found near Australian cricketer Haddin’s home

A “suspicious item” was found on the nature strip outside the property of Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Dozens of police and fire crews descended on the small riverfront suburb after a resident spotted a device on the grass and went to pick it up, thinking it was rubbish.

The report claimed the item is understood to have consisted of two butane canisters with a wick attached, and there had been an attempt to light it. “I thought it was a T-shirt in a can”, she said.

Haddin’s neighbor Margaret Harsas saw the device near the front fence of Haddin’s home.

As indicated by Superintendent John Duncan of Ryde police, it was a small and a “very simple, very crude device”, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

“I urge anyone with information about unusual or suspicious activity in the area yesterday to contact police or Crime Stoppers immediately”.

A police spokesperson said the item was identified and removed and is now being examined. She said they didn’t ask anyone to evacuate their homes.

A forensic examination will take place as inquiries into the incident continue.

Haddin has remained in the UK with the Australian squad and captain Michael Clarke said ahead of the current Lord’s Test he expected Haddin to play a further role in the Ashes series.

Cricket Australia said Haddin, 37, who pulled out of the second Ashes Test against England on Tuesday for family reasons, was still overseas.

On Saturday the leafy road with large houses on big blocks, was quiet and peaceful.