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Brad Haddin should not be the T20 wicket-keeper

Brad Haddin is the Sydney Sixers' go-to batsman (Image: Sydney Sixers)
Roar Guru
11th September, 2014
27

Brad Haddin should be shielded from international T20 cricket after the tour of the UAE.

This is based on what happened earlier this year, when Australia wilted in the T20 World Cup. Haddin seemed jaded from a long summer of cricket and the consequences of a repeat in either the home World Cup or the Ashes could be serious.

My reasoning goes deeper than that though. Aaron Finch’s appointment as captain signals a new beginning and is designed to end Australia’s drought at the international T20 World Cup.

Haddin is unlikely to be playing by the time of 2016 T20 World Cup. While international T20s this summer to me don’t symbolise anything other than inflamed ear drums in the grandstand and trampolinists telling us when we should scream, a successor will need all possible experience.

Unfortunately Matthew Wade is far from convincing as a replacement.

Before I say why, let me just say I feel for any wicket-keeper batting at seven in T20 cricket. If you are doing your job well, no one’s going to notice you. How many people remember the excellent work of the West Indies Denesh Ramdin in the T20 World Cup?

Honestly, I only did through researching for this article.

Ramdin’s success does however, highlights why Wade would be a risky choice. Ramdin was high class keeping to the likes of Samuel Badree, while Wade’s continuing struggles in that area have been exposed.

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Granted Australia’s T20 attack doesn’t revolve around spin but I think it will soon with options such as James Muirhead, Xavier Doherty and Steve O’Keefe. Sam Whiteman would constitute a better option than Wade.

While batting is of secondary importance with picking a keeper, Whiteman would do well to improve his strike rate. If he could lift it from the current mark of 118.23 to around 140, it would help secure a position and bridge the gap between Australia and the likes of Sri Lanka.

When Haddin does eventually retire from cricket, he should be fondly remembered. I’ll put my hand up and admit I am astounded at just how successful he has been since his return.

Since Adam Gilchrist debuted, wicket-keepers are often judged on their batting. Haddin won plaudits for his regular bail-out jobs during the Ashes. I admired his wicket-keeping more because it has been visibly improved from when Wade overtook him in the West Indies in 2012.

As a one-day player, the shock defeat to Zimbabwe showed his importance as a batsman alone and has been an efficient wicket-keeper with few mistakes. Like a good carpenter, not much wood gets wasted.

His leadership has been first-rate, in the capacity of knowledgeable elder. Off-field he has been important in galvanising team spirit from the nadir of India 2013, while on-field he is a reliable source of advice for any captain.

Australia will rely on Haddin to continue these fine attributes for the foreseeable future in two formats of the game. With the schedule buttoned up to its eyeballs, why burden him further when it is not necessary?

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