- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Brad Haddin is the first to admit he’s no fan of Test cricket’s controversial referral system. But the Australian wicketkeeper knows he’s probably the most influential person on the field when it comes to deciding whether to appeal a decision or not.
Australia were left befuddled several times during the drawn second Test in Adelaide against the West Indies after a number of caught-behind appeals they thought were clear-cut cases were turned down by both the controlling and third umpire.
Haddin said his prime viewing position behind the stumps meant captain Ricky Ponting often turned to him before deciding whether to appeal a decision or not.
It’s not a responsibility Haddin enjoys.
“Obviously with the keeper you do have the best view but I don’t want that pressure of getting the wrong or right one,” Haddin said in Perth ahead of the third Test against the West Indies, starting at the WACA Ground on Wednesday.
“It’s a funny one because we thought we had a couple of obvious ones in Adelaide that got turned down.
“I’m not a great believer in it (the system).
“It’s still a bit of a grey area at the moment and we’ll have to see how it goes over the coming months.
“I think it’s designed to take the real howlers out of the game.”
While frustrated at times with the referral system, Haddin said he was over the moon to be back in the Test set-up following a lengthy break due to a finger injury.
“As much as it was frustrating having three months away from the game being injured, it gave myself a chance to sit back and refresh a little bit and I’ve been looking forward to getting back in the Australian team for a while now,” he said.
“Once it’s taken away from you, you work a lot harder to get back.”
And despite several young wicketkeepers, including Tasmanian Tim Paine, Graham Manou and Luke Ronchi, all eagerly awaiting their next chance, Haddin said he wasn’t feeling the pressure to perform.
“From a personal point of view I tend not to think too much about it,” he said.
“All I’m trying to do is be the best wicketkeeper I can.
“I spent a lot of time behind Adam Gilchrist so it’s not something I’m worried about, other players coming through.
“I’ve just got to be the best cricketer I can be. If that’s not good enough for Australia, well so be it.”
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.