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Australia coach Darren Lehmann rates Brad Haddin’s wicketkeeping skills and leadership highly.
But Haddin knows runs will be the commodity that count as national selectors weigh up his place in the Test side.
The 37-year-old was magnificent in last summer’s Ashes, scoring 493 runs at an average of 61.62 and steadying Australia’s cause whenever they looked set for a sub-par total.
It was a record achievement – breaking Adam Gilchrist’s mark for most runs from a No.7 batsman in a Test series.
Since then Haddin has scored 92 Test runs at an average of 8.36 from seven matches, failing to post a score of substance on tours of South Africa and the UAE.
“We can’t have our No.7 not making any runs,” Lehmann said on Sunday after Haddin scored six and one in the second Test against India.
“He knows that.
“We need Brad to make runs.
“He’s working really hard on it, so hopefully he’ll get some runs in Melbourne.”
Steve Smith was promoted to stand-in skipper ahead of Haddin, but the gloveman continued to mentor Smith and help direct play.
Haddin took six catches in India’s first innings at the Gabba, equalling the most dismissals in a Test innings by an Australian wicketkeeper.
“He does offer a lot behind the scenes, which we really love, and his keeping has been exceptional,” Lehmann said.
“But still he’s got to make some runs.
“He’s been working really hard behind the scenes. He’d be disappointed with a couple of Test matches so far.”
Chris Rogers showed Haddin how quickly things can turn, scoring a pair of half-centuries at the Gabba in uncharacteristically aggressive fashion.
Rogers’ knock in the second dig was particularly crucial, as Australia lost six wickets while chasing down 128 for victory.
“It was like Brian Lara batting wasn’t it? It was unbelievable, he was fantastic,” Lehmann said.
“It’s so very impressive for an experienced guy to do that and hold that innings together.
“It could easily at 2-20 have gone the other way and (Australia would have) been under real pressure.
“But he decided to take the game on … he was very good.”
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