Despite a recent run of batting performances that would embarrass Chris Martin, and a shoulder that looks like the northern lights, I want to see Brad Haddin survive the summer.
The likely alternative, several years of Matthew Wade and his iron gloves, is too terrifying to consider.
Haddin is a bit like the family dog whose arthritis has stopped him from chasing the ball for the past few years – he mostly does what he’s told, and hasn’t started crapping on the lounge room carpet yet. Well, not regularly enough to cause concern, anyway.
In Haddin’s favour here is the selectors’ ongoing preference for conservative decision-making. Like an office worker choosing which blue shirt to wear on a Tuesday, our boys in the national selection panel like routine and safe choices.
That said, if they do choose to bite the bullet, Wade seems the likely choice. Why try something new when you can just go with the last wicketkeeper to play Tests for Australia, after all?
As outlined in my recent article promoting Nine’s rumoured new reality TV series, Rod Marsh and the boys have a number of great choices not named Matthew Wade to take over from Haddin.
That said, our wicketkeeping situation is more Adam Gilchrist than Ian Healy. Haddin is fading, but there is currently no standout ‘keeper forcing the selectors’ hand.
Instead of rushing a decision which may affect the fortunes of our Test side for the next decade, let’s instead give Haddin the retirement tour Ian Healy never had, before consigning him to a future stuck in a commentary box with Brad McNamara, James Brayshaw and endless hours spent awkwardly promoting upcoming shows.
After returning to the side following an absence to be with his young daughter while she battled cancer, Haddin unsurprisingly displayed a broader perspective on life and a new approach to his cricket. For the last few years, this has resulted in a more consistent run of performances both behind the stumps and with the bat, culminating in last summer’s Ashes blitzkrieg.
Dwindling returns in more recent Tests shouldn’t prevent Haddin from one last season chuntering away in the middle, and hopefully sticking it to the touring Indian side.
With the World Cup to follow, I hope our national selectors choose the right blue shirt, and give the occasionally incontinent pitbull affectionately known as ‘Hadds’ one last hurrah this summer.
Andrew Pelechaty
Guest
Great job Daniel. Well Hadds DID get a final home summer, Matty Wade did ok in the ODIs and Peter Neville is making a good fist as Haddin's replacement.
Matt
Guest
How insecure is Brad McNamara? This is hilarious that he has a Google Alert for himself! Gold!... If those comments and other's he has made are a true reflection of his character, it's not a hard one to judge. Big noting himself as mates with players who made it is pretty funny. Also totally missed the point of the article so intellegence questionable... Keep up the independent articles Roar.
Syd
Guest
Funny you use Google because if it was not for Google no one would know who the crap you were.
Khan
Guest
And he made the news LOL http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/13/channel-nine-destroying-cricket-legacy?CMP=fb_gu
Tim
Guest
"Team mate"? I didn't realise you are on the team.
Sachin
Guest
Get well Soon! Brad.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Possibly. Depends on performance of other keepers at Shield level in the mean time.
kevin
Guest
Would you keep him for the whole summar? If he fails in Brisbane or Melbourne, would you consider changing keepers mid-series?
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Thanks for the comment, Dingo. I think Haddin is arguably a champion of the current era, with a history of strong performances in Australia. Given our form in recent Tests and the likely number of changes to the side that will occur as a result, I think it's best to keep Haddin around this summer, then given his replacement the chance to debut against the West Indies early next year.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Hi Cadfael, thanks for the comment. There is an away series against the West Indies before the Ashes, which would give a new 'keeper the opportunity to debut away from local media/crowd scrutiny. I like the look of Whiteman too. Definitely a good long term option, who seems capable of digging in with the bat and posting high scores.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Have to disagree. Like others, he didn't have the best of tours with either the gloves or bat. As was pointed out earlier, Healey was given the opportunity for a last test in Brisbane (which was the first test of that series) let alone a series farewell. The idea is to let Haddin have a fond farewell against India then pick a rookie to go to England for the Ashes? Not likely! I like the look of Whiteman, a young bloke who has kept well and bats well. Give him the home series to acclimatise himself and then to England.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Ian Healy the greatest wicket keeper Australia had ever had at the time wasn't given the chance to retire on his own tems..... Then Brad Haddin certainly shouldn't be given the chance to retire on his own terms! That only comes to the absolute champions of our games. The Warne's, McGraths, Steve Waughs, Hayden's, Pontings.... Brad Haddin has been a sound servant, but certainly not a champion. Australia has a plethora of keepers who are in both form with gloves and bat. It's time to move Haddin on.
Egg Plunder
Guest
I can GUARENTEE that Haddin will not be dropped before the Patel Test Series Cricket Australia will want to dominate and percolate the Indians in our home, our glorious home we call Australia.
kevin
Guest
Trev and Silver are right that Haddin has had a scratchy past abroad, throwing doubt on his selection for the Gabba test. Also agree with Daniel that Haddin does perform better in Australia. A close call, but Haddin by a whisker.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Thanks for the comment, Trev. You're right that Haddin's batting hasn't been great in the last couple of Test series, but he is traditionally a strong performer in Australian conditions. If Hartley, Nevill or Whiteman were likely to take over behind the stumps this summer, that would be ok. I'm mostly worried that our selectors seem to have forgotten the reasons they dropped Wade in the first place, as indicated by his selection for first two ODIs vs. South Africa.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Hi Ho, Silver. Thanks for commenting again. I remember Haddin being dropped on occasion last summer, but he did still have a massive series. He does seem to put in his best performances in Australia, which is why I think he'll fire this summer, provided he gets the chance to play on.
Trev
Roar Rookie
I disagree no ones forcing Haddin out, Haddins keeping has never really impressed me much and now his batting is on the slide. Hartley. Neville and Whiteman are ahead of him for mine.
Silver Sovereign
Roar Rookie
Haddin has had 1 good series in the last few years. Before and after that ashes win he has been horrible. If you watch the highlights of that Ashes again, you will see that the demoralized English dropped Haddin a number of time early on.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
So you come on an opinion based website - where fans are able to post articles as well as journalists and moan that you haven't heard of the writers? Bizarre.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Thanks, Prof. Chuntering was intentional. I think it sums up the relentless banter most wicketkeepers like to engage in. You're correct in stating that's a skill that would transfer well to the commentary box!