When is the last time you remember an Australian cricketer being widely panned for offering a real opinion about an opponent?
If Brad Haddin was a politician, news bulletins would be leading with headlines about a huge dive in the polls.
The 34 year old offered a rare insight into his real thoughts and message boards, fan forums and social media exploded with a view of their own.
The wicket-keeper told Sky Sports Radio that India “can be as fragile as any team in the world if things aren’t going their way and they can turn on each other and the media turns on them pretty quick.”
Reflecting on the crushing test win in Sydney he went on to say that the Aussies knew if they could keep India in the field and build a huge total the tourists would fold.
“They break quicker than anyone in the world,” he said.
Normally the chest beating on these shores would instantly begin and the cricketer treated like a hero. Break out the fans, sun bed and devoted followers to feed him grapes.
Yesterday, in a strange twist, Haddin became the target.
Most fans posting on twitter pointed to the New South Welshman’s sub-standard glove work at the SCG and his poor form with the bat. The perceived price he places on his wicket also got a workout in one-liners.
It was an extraordinary reaction from fans who usually back the local even if he’s way out of line.
The verbal barbs not only fired up the supporters, but also Indian paceman Zaheer Khan.
“Well Brad Haddin, I think he should focus on his keeping,” Khan said.
“That looked really fragile to me. He needs to start moving.”
It’s rare for an athlete to offer anything beyond a cliche.
They get criticised for being boring and fans lament the death of characters in the modern game.
It’s not that most are incapable of offering any insight that may seem interesting. Far from it. The majority of sportspeople have strong opinions about their opponents.
The fear of firing their rivals up or a reprimand from officials usually keeps anything resembling a real thought far, far away from the public arena.
Haddin will no doubt think twice before being so honest again.
It’s a shame, but the bland and boring will always cause less trouble.
soapit
Guest
being stupid in radio interviews should count against you being vc though surely.
Reece Jordan
Roar Pro
As the old adage goes, "Don't throw stones in a glass house." Regardless of whether Haddin's comments were true or not, he would be better of avoiding stirring controversy and more focused on trying to keep his spot in the team. The Australian team has got quite arrogant after two Tests, maybe a loss at the WACA would do them some good. Nothing helps like a piece of Humble Pie every now and then.
dc
Guest
You don't see this sort of banter in the A League, international football, rugby union, tennis, other international sporting contests. This Haddin line may have been a beat-up but its just another reason for alot of people to dislike the culture of the Australian cricket team. Maybe these cricketers really are that boring that this is all they have got. Haddin, for what its worth, was a very attractive batsman to watch, when in form. He scored a great ton against my team in NZ. Now he will remembered for running down the pitch and getting caught behind in the great 47 team total.....
AndyMack
Guest
I agree, mouthing off when you win shows poor sportsmanship, not character. If I was Zaheer I also would have reminded Haddin that his performances have been pretty ordinary of late. Haddin was easily the most annoying cricketer in Australian domestic cricket for years (despite being very good with the bat), he is a poor representative for his country. India are here as guests of CA (of which Haddin belongs), leave mudslinging to the various media outlets on both sides on the story.
Luke
Guest
People are just sick of blokes like Haddin who are all talk with very little substance to back it up with. The Australian Cricket public aren't stupid, we know that the Australian Cricket team is now not so much about performance on the field but what you provide "off the field", who shows "potential" (eg Starc, Steve Smith etc) and who you are mates with (eg Phil Hughes, Katich axing). Not much to do with performance. Simon Katich got axed from the Australian team when he was our best performed opener the previous year. But someone like Haddin who has had possibly the worst year from a wicketkeeper batsman in Australian history, still gets a guernsey. This when their is a perfectly able replacement in Matthew Wade sitting their twiddling his thumbs and waiting for a Baggy Green. People keep thinking up any old excuse why Wade should not be picked. "His attitude is bad", "his keeping is average" etc. But if those things are true (and I don't agree with them at all by the way), then wouldn't you rather a 24 year old kid who has those problems that can develop into a better player rather than a 34 year old with the same problems who is only going to be going downhill in his career.
OldManEmu
Guest
Watch for some mealy mouthed comments penned by Michael Clarke's publicist in the next few days about how much the Indians are a respected opponent, the number two team in the world, the best batting order of the modern era blah blah blah - meanwhile Hadds and Pup or Dog as he is now known compare tattoos. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
ChrisW
Guest
I like Honest opinions:)
Aware
Guest
It may be the role of the tabloids to attack the players of any country and denigrate their character, but players should keep such thoughts to the locker-room.
Smithy
Guest
I think both of you are spot on (Galaxy and Dixie), I believe Haddin's comments were valid, however, if I would have thought there might be others in the team that were better placed to make these comments. If Tim Paine was fit, I have no doubt that we would have a different keeper in the test side at the moment and I believe that Matthew Wade would have to be looking at getting a run shortly given Haddin's poor form over the past 12 months. We all know India travels terribly (as displayed by their performances in this series to date and by their 4-nil drubbing in England late last year) and any team can be fragile given the circumstances Haddin mentioned. It's also worth noting that Australia not long ago was bowled out by South Africa for a very poor 47 and there have been other poor batting displays by the Aussies as well (re 2nd test against the Kiwis) so you don't have far to look to see that we have a pretty substantial glass house that we appear to be throwing stones from.
Tommygun
Guest
Don't attack their character!? Did anyone attack Australia's character after the South Africa debacle or collapsing against New Zealand? It was front page news for goodness sake. Haddin was spot on in his comments but just doesn't have the form to back up saying these things.
TomC
Guest
Well, I don't know if being stupid should disqualify you from being in the Australian cricket team.
Aware
Guest
It's one thing to attack the Indians on their batting, bowling and fielding, but attacking them on their character as human beings is really getting into the gutter.
Bsc
Guest
Arrogant, not just in this case either.. Cannot imagine gilly doing this? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
alan
Guest
haddin needs to improve soon......
Aaron
Guest
Brett you're dead right mate. It's likely everyone agrees with Haddin, I certainly do, they appear pretty mentally weak the Indians after a punishing time in the field fetching the rock. But for goodness sake Haddin, you're grassing catches, can't buy a run with the wand, slashing at wide ones in the first few balls at the crease etc. Sometimes, you need to pull your head in and let your ability do the talking. Luke, I normally rate your articles, this one, in my opinion, is off the mark.
Aware
Guest
Haddin has to be the most gutless keeper I've ever seen. His batting is also a disgrace under pressure and he has let the team down in that area a host of times. At least he could actually acheive something before shooting off at the mouth.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Oh, and for what it's worth, I think Haddin was soft on the Indians, who were absolutely disgraceful in Sydney. I've never seen an international cricket team give up like that before. A complete disgrace.
Will Sinclair
Guest
I heard this interview on the BSB on Monday morning, and I can't believe the press and fan reaction. These were a couple of throwaway lines in a very laid back (one of the interviewers was Stuart Clark) radio interview. Indeed, Haddin went out of his way on many occasions to praise the Indians, and their past achievements, and to speak about how dangerous they would be in Perth. I can honestly say I didn't hear anything untoward while I was listening to the interview, and this really is just a storm in a teacup (which reflects pretty poorly on the modern sports press and sports fan, if we're being honest).
jameswm
Guest
So once you've played for a while, nothing your oppionents ever say will make a difference? Those ones you mentioned aren't bowlers anyway. Zaheer Khan has been around for ages and may be fired up by the comments.
Disco
Guest
Haddin's degree of intelligence fits right in with this Australian set-up.