Haddin’s reputation on the line after glove incident
Roar Guru
By David Wiseman, 2 Feb 2009 David Wiseman is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Australian Cricket, Brad Haddin, Cricket, Ricky Ponting, South Africa
A meaningless one-day match could cost Brad Haddin his international career and he has no one to blame but himself.
New Zealand were 4/106 requiring another 76 from 15 overs when it appeared Michael Clarke had bowled Neil Broom.
On closer inspection it was Haddin’s gloves which has dislodged the bails. Not suspecting anything, Clarke and the rest of his team-mates celebrated.
A sportsman lives and dies by his reputation and Haddin could have just coated his in mud.
The umpires are most certainly fallible but the cameras aren’t. At the very least, Haddin should have expressed his doubt and let it be referred to the third umpire.
After what happened against India, it should be drummed into every Australian player’s head that they have to be squeakier than Mr Sheen. They need to be seen to be going over and above what is necessary.
The fallout simply isn’t worth it and in what has been a long summer for Ricky Ponting is going to be made even longer.
If having to deal with one Andrew Symonds issue after another or losing Test and One-Day series to South Africa isn’t enough, now he’ll have to deal with questions about the integrity of his side. People have selective memories; long after they forget this game they will remember what Haddin did.
There is nothing wrong with pushing the envelope of competition within the confines of the law. What Haddin did was more breaking than bending.
Haddin made a sacrifice – he felt Australia winning the game was a higher priority than his reputation.
Wonder what he feels about this trade-off now?
Better still, let’s ask Greg Dyer who made the exact same sacrifice some 20 years ago and paid for it by never again playing for Australia.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Cricket articles
- What we do and don’t know about our Baggy Greens (112)
- Success of Twenty20 spells trouble for ODI cricket (106)
- Channel 9 commentators an annoyance this summer (102)
- One Day Cricket is suffering from Middle Child Syndrome (89)
- Cricket Australia must take a stand against racist spectators (89)
- Dave’s Warner-ful switch-hit panned by precious critics (84)
- Khawaja shouldn’t have been Shaun from the Test side (71)
- Resurgent Pakistan inspire a new generation to play cricket
- Clarke stars as Australia beat Sri Lanka
- Australia vs Sri Lanka, Perth ODI: cricket live scores, commentary (197)
- Hall of Fame for Indian legend Gavaskar
- Sri Lanka to target ‘weak’ Aussie bowlers
- India backing Rohit Sharma to find form
- Game-by-game preview of round 19
- Resurgent Pakistan inspire a new generation to play cricket (0)
- Australia vs Sri Lanka, Perth ODI: cricket live scores, commentary (197)
- Twenty20 cricket not up to the test (6)
- Pakistan’s win over England a triumph of character (21)
- Steve Waugh is right about cricket’s succession plan (5)
- India vs Sri Lanka, Perth ODI: cricket live scores, commentary (180)
- Let’s talk about selection, Test fans (28)
- Explore:
- Australian Cricket, Brad Haddin, Cricket, Ricky Ponting, South Africa
Ara said | February 2nd 2009 @ 7:28am | Report comment
Greg Dyer played in the days when the Australian Team hd standards. This team does not have any standards so it is difficult to see how Haddin will be dropped. If the selectors had any nous they would add Simon Katich into the team immediately and consider making him the captain!
El Capitan said | February 2nd 2009 @ 8:05am | Report comment
After I saw this, I turned to my wife and said “There will be hell in the media over this”. At the very least he should have asked for a 3rd umpire to check that the ball hit first before the gloves.
Not really what Aust need against NZ, esp after the infamous “underarm” ball.
JohnB said | February 2nd 2009 @ 8:51am | Report comment
You’re making a big call suggesting Haddin knew exactly what had happened and made a conscious decision to cheat – not the words you used, but that’s what it boils down to. I think it is much more likely he didn’t realise what had happened or that his gloves were in front of the stumps – another technical issue for him to deal with (since umpires will presumably be on the alert for it from now on).
Harry said | February 2nd 2009 @ 9:12am | Report comment
Once again Haddin’s keeping skills are found wanting. As a keeper he has been unimpressive – massive bye count in India, and yes I know it was difficult conditions, but …, dropped catches in the SA series at critical times, and now this. Unconvinving batting apart from tonking a very poor kiwi attack around in Adelaide.
I hope Hilditch, Jamie Cox and Merv are looking hard at alternatives, instead of walking the dog or leading the latest supporters tour.
And the Kiwi’s will take great delight in reminding us of this incident for many a day. Fair enough.
The Cougar said | February 2nd 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
In the fourth ODI between Australia and South Africa at the SCG last week, Dale Steyn trod on the stumps before dislodging the bails to run out Shaun Tait at the non-strikers end for the last wicket. It would’ve been fairly clear to him what happened, but he failed to alert the umpires. Sneaky.
neilo said | February 2nd 2009 @ 9:27am | Report comment
i wonder if McCullum would like to play for NSW permenantly then he could play for australia. He is the class act as a gloveman and batsman
yeebarr said | February 2nd 2009 @ 9:47am | Report comment
I agree with Harry – Haddins form has been quite poor (even Gilly was struggling to say nice things about him) and hitting the stumps appeared to be an error in judgment rather than a deliberate ploy. Any other keeper ready to step up?
Johnno said | February 2nd 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment
Everyone knew it was his gloves, i picked up with my naked eye. Mark Nicholas the commentator knew, you could here his reaction before cutting to the commercial break to check.
Shame Australia, you’re the better team, you’re still got the best players in the world, why do you always need to play like this? Especially against the Kiwis.
Btw, who was the umpire? Was it the same guy that gave out McCullums LBW? I hope its his last match for a while.
It was great spirit shown by the Kiwis to overcome these obstacles, as well as lets be honest a lack of real talent, and world cricket politics (don’t forget Shane Bond would be a walk in to this team).
Australia you played unfairly and you lost, there’s no worse way to lose.
Mick of Newie said | February 2nd 2009 @ 10:48am | Report comment
Hasn’t his captain dug a hole for him.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/captain-ricky-ponting-defends-haddin-20090202-7v90.html
I would like to be at that chat between Vettori and Ponting or Haddin and Vettori. Me thinks Daniel might look forward to the chats as well.
El Capitan said | February 2nd 2009 @ 11:08am | Report comment
So will Ponting appolgise cause Hadden was in the wrong. Daniel had the luxury to see on TV the replay, but never called him a cheat. Ponting fired off from the lip, and will end up with egg on his face.
Even with that A Current Affair interview, it still did nothing to imporve his aura. Still smug and if things went the wrong way its blame, blame blame. No taking responsibility. It was a combined team effort why they failed. Too many sundries, not enough runs and stupid running between the wickets.