Australia A captain Brad Haddin shows good touch in lead-up to Ashes with century against Scotland Brad Haddin made 113 against Scotland as Australia A reached 6-335 at stumps. BRAD Haddin made a bruising century for Australia A against Scotland to deliver teammates a timely message that leadership and run-scoring in the Ashes squad don't begin and end with Michael Clarke. In encouraging signs for Australia, top-order batsman Usman Khawaja also spent quality time in the middle in overcast and seaming conditions against Scotland at the Grange Cricket Club. With Clarke's latest back injury casting an ominous shadow over Australia's Ashes hopes, the performances of squad members Khawaja (51), Peter Siddle (85 not out) and particularly Haddin (113) were crucial for a squad desperately in need of confidence. Haddin showcased exactly why he's been brought back into the fold as Test vice-captain. The no-nonsense wicketkeeper led from the front at a time of need to pilot Australia A (a combination of Ashes squad members and fringe Australian players) to 6-335 at stumps on day one of the four-day match. All the boys are really happy to have him around. He's been quite a calming influence," Khawaja said. Obviously, he's started this tour out brilliantly and I think the boys can take a lot from that. He looked real good from ball one. Brad is really positive and he just went out there and played his shots and that's the best kind of Brad Haddin. He looked like he was doing it on ease. Haddin's 113 came from just 157 balls and featured 12 boundaries and two sixes. The 44-Test veteran was strong on the front foot and hit aggressively over the top. Khawaja played nicely on the leg side, pulling one ball for six and also hitting seven to the rope. The up-and-down Grange wicket allowed for plenty of variable bounce and, in the overcast conditions, the ball moved around nicely for the Scottish bowlers who executed well. Handling the moving ball has been a major weakness for Australia's flaky top order in recent years, and Khawaja described his opening knock for the tour as a confidence booster. Khawaja hasn't played a Test since December 2011, but the opportunity is there for him to return at No. 4 or No. 5 if he can perform strongly in the warm-up games. The 26-year-old endured a frustrating tour of India earlier this year where he failed to get a game, not helped by being stood down for the third Test for not submitting a homework assignment. Despite his lack of cricket of late, Khawaja says he's not feeling any extra pressure to prove himself. I just want to go out there and bat, to be honest. I can't really control what happens outside of that with selection - no one really can," Khawaja said. I'm in the Ashes squad. I'm grateful for it and excited for it. I'm just happy to get back out on the park and play some cricket. It felt good. Time in the middle is better than anything else - but just so disappointing not to go on with it.