Haddin return welcome news: Clarke
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It’s been a tough 12 months for Brad Haddin but Michael Clarke firmly believes the veteran wicketkeeper still has plenty to offer Australia’s cricket team.
Haddin, who quit the tour of the Caribbean in March to come home for personal reasons, returned to the national set-up for last week’s camp in Darwin as preparation for the upcoming limited overs tour of the United Arab Emirates.
And while the veteran wicketkeeper won’t be a part of that tour, Clarke said his NSW teammate showed he still has plenty to offer Australia’s cricket team.
“I always love having Brad around,” Clarke said.
“He’ll do anything for the team. He’s a great man. The last few months have obviously been quite hard for him and his family but I think he’s enjoying being back around the boys and he knows he can pick up the phone and call me, 24-7, I’ll be there to chat to him.
“He’s made it very clear to both Mickey (Arthur, coach) and me he wants to get back playing for Australia.”
Clarke said Haddin realises however he’s no guarantee of returning to the national set-up and it will take a big domestic summer to get him back in the frame.
During the past year Haddin has lost the wicketkeeping position in all three forms of the game to Victorian Matthew Wade.
But despite the competition between the pair, Clarke said Haddin was only too happy to work with his replacement during the Darwin camp.
“His relationship with all the team, but especially Matthew Wade, is outstanding and they did a lot of work together in Darwin,” he said.
“That probably sums up the type of guy Hadds is, he’s very competitive – don’t get me wrong – but he’ll do whatever is in the best interest of the team.”
© AAP 2013The Crowd Says (4) | Page 1 of Comments
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August 22nd 2012 @ 9:59am
MrKistic said | August 22nd 2012 @ 9:59am | Report comment
It’s good to hear a selector having such an impartial view on the players. <– sarcasm, lowest form
August 22nd 2012 @ 9:59am
josh said | August 22nd 2012 @ 9:59am | Report comment
“That probably sums up the type of guy Hadds is, he’s very competitive – don’t get me wrong – but he’ll do whatever is in the best interest of the team.”
Which is declare he isn’t interested in being selected for Australia again. Why pick a 35 year old coming back from an injury? Why?
If he wants to help out good on him. but he seriously be considered a contender.
August 23rd 2012 @ 12:27am
Bearfax said | August 23rd 2012 @ 12:27am | Report comment
Sorry Hads but you’ve had your day. Mind you Micky is so out of touch with his selections , Hads will probably be back in the team. Realistically though Haddin has been a fine wicket-keeper batsman for Oz, and we should not disrespect his past efforts. But surely there comes a time for the younger brigade to be allowed to develop in the test team.
Unfortunately the present group of selectors and coach use double standards all over the place and it seems to be who Micky likes who gets a go, not whether they are best for the long term development of the team. In the past Haddin would have been given the gold watch, thanked for his efforts and eased out. Today this isnt happening and consequently young potential stars are not being given enough chance to develop their skills at test level , especially in the batting area.
Wade is doing his job OK and is developing. Leave the kid alone to get on with it and not have to worry about jobs for the old boys taking precedence. And if Wade doesnt meet the expectations, there are other young kids waiting in the wings.
August 23rd 2012 @ 10:16am
Talisman said | August 23rd 2012 @ 10:16am | Report comment
I just wish Clarke would shut up, get out of the selectors way (I know he’s one, but he shouldn’t be, nor Arthur) & forge a good young cricket side capable of competing with the rest of the world. That means tell your mates Haddin, Johnno etc sorry, game over, we want talent & commitment.