Brad Haddin must not be selected for Australia again

 
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    Brad Haddin was not available for selection in the Australian One Day International side to tour the British Isles in June, but if he had, he shouldn’t have been chosen anyway.

    Haddin was seen as the ideal replacement when Adam Gilchrist retired due to his ability as a gloveman and as an aggressive batsmen.

    However the truth is he has never lived up to expectation.

    In 2009, he was in stellar form. He achieved his highest ever series average, with an average of 75 from five test innings vs West Indies, and 70.75 in the One Day International series against New Zealand.

    In series’ where he has played more than one innings, he has only averaged greater than fifty three times in tests, and twice in ODI.

    He is now 34 years old, and the time has come for selectors to move on.

    Australia has a ready-made replacement in Matthew Wade. Tim Paine is in the mix as well, once he can get going again after a serious finger injury.

    Wade is now the incumbent and would be particularly hard done by if he was to lose his place to Haddin, especially considering he just scored 106 against the West Indies to save the Australians in a Test.

    He is averaging 39.6 in his first series in the baggy green.

    Haddin does average more and scores quicker in one day internationals. Wade, at just 24 years of age, will only get better, whereas Haddin is in decline.

    Haddin’s most recent series, the Test matches against India this past Australian summer, show his decline, with his scores for the series reading, 27, 6, DNB, 0, 42* and 11*.

    It is not just the batting department where Haddin is lacking to the younger generation. His glove work has become sloppy, and this was there for all to see during this the series against India.

    He dropped numerous chances in this series, including one that he dived past after an edge from Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir, letting the ball glide between his gloves and body, his eyes and reactions clearly not what they should be.

    The drops were mitigated by a poor Indian batting line-up, however had they cost the side more, his head may have been on the chopping block and removed already.

    It is a shame for Haddin, that during his days where he was in his prime he was behind perhaps the greatest wicketkeeper/batsman of all time in Gilchrist.

    Had this not been the case, his career may have been far longer and more prosperous.

    As it stands, he may have found his spot in the team too late, and may have peaked too early.

    While the selectors say they will give Haddin the time he needs to get through his personal issues, it seems he has had long enough in his Test and ODI careers.

    It’s time to move on.

    The Ashes journey begins

    The Australian cricket team have left Australia to begin their tour of England, with a mission to reclaim the Ashes.

    Australian captain Michael Clarke and his teammates were optimistic about their chances before jetting off.


    Click here to hear the thoughts of our Australian cricket team as they left for England.
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