It did not come as a surprise to me learning of the retirement of Bradley James Haddin from ODIs yesterday. After all he is over 37 years old.
And what a better way to go than after Australia won the World Cup beating New Zealand on the MCG about seven weeks ago. What a way to go!
He had to follow in the footsteps of illustrious wicket-keeper batsmen Adam Gilchrist and Ian Healy, but he did not suffer in comparison. That itself is a big compliment to him.
He is competitive on the field and jovial off it.
In 126 ODIs from 2001 till now, he scored 3122 runs at 31.53 and an exhilarating strike rate of 84.24, hitting two centuries (highest score 110) and 16 fifties. He took 170 catches and stumped 11.
Only Gilchrist and Healy made more dismissals in ODIs for Australia than he did.
In many ways, a wicket-keeper is like a pianist in an orchestra; there is room for only one. Haddin had to wait until Adam Gilchrist retired and made his Test debut at 30 in 2008. Having played his first ODI match in 2001, it was a long wait.
When he claimed his baggy green cap from skipper Ricky Ponting in Jamaica in May 2008, he became the 400th player to represent Australia in Tests.
And what a debut! In the second innings, Australia was 6 for 70 when Haddin (nicknamed BJ) joined Andrew Symonds. They more than doubled the score and Australia won by 95 runs.
Despite the pain of a broken finger in the Caribbean three-Test series, he carried on bravely — averaging 30.20 with bat and took 16 catches.
One hopes he plays equally well in the Test series for the Frank Worrell Trophy in West Indies next month and then in the Ashes in England.
Haddin said yesterday, “I have had a privileged one-day career and I have been fortunate enough to be involved in three Cricket World Cups and now is the right time to walk away. Not many players get to write a script like mine at the end of their careers and I have been lucky enough to do just that after winning a World Cup on home soil.
“I leave the team with Australian ranked number one in the world [in ODIs] and I am proud of everything we have achieved.”
As Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said, “Whenever Brad wore the green and gold, he always gave maximum effort and he should be incredibly proud of his achievements.”
I had the privilege of interviewing Haddin a few years ago.
Your best cricket memory?
My Test debut and my maiden Test hundred. And of course winning World Cups.
Best memory outside cricket?
Birth of my son Zac.
Any cricket in the family?
My father and brothers were all good sportsmen across several sports.
At which age did you realise that you wanted to keep wickets?
At 12 when I was the smallest player in the team so the only place to play was as a wicket-keeper. I was always a wicket-keeper, even at 12.
Who inspired you?
My father Ross, particularly when he won the 1983 Rugby League Grand Final playing for Gundagai.
Your heroes?
I grew up in Canberra and my heroes were Ricky Stuart and Laurie Daley.
Your favourite wicket-keeper?
Ian Healy.
Your favourite ground?
SCG
Favourite Dismissal?
Stumping Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi off Darren Lehmann in Australian One-Dayer at the SCG, a great set-up dismissal.
Best Australian cricketer(s) of your time?
Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist among many others.
Best overseas cricketer(s) of your time?
Brian Lara
Any humorous anecdote?
Not really but Doug Bollinger makes me laugh! I find him humorous to be around!
Hobbies?
Property Development.
How do you relax?
BBQ and entertaining at home with family and friends.
One change you would like to see in cricket?
Either use technology in all dismissal decision-making or nothing.
Thank you, BJ and cheers.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I agree, he's got fantastic footwork but just seems to not bother with it much of the time, got some horrible memories of him just swinging away without seeming to give a toss. Could have had a much better average. He did play some cracking innings in the home Ashes 13/14 but has hardly fired a shot since. I have hopes of Nevill, both brain wise and with the gloves.
Bobbo7
Guest
He has had a decent run after England dropped him several times in the Ashes. But overall I still think he could have been much better given his talent. Just my opinion.
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
Hadds got 50 in every first innings if the last Ashes, always at a wobbly point in the innings - I'd say he knuckled down then. And as for the lull before he came good in Melbourne last year, I'd have said that was more lack of form than anything else. When's he been throwing his wicket away in recent history?
Nudge
Guest
Yeah maybe, but where not talking about that, we are talking about his average. I think he averaged around 70 last ashes, but if he played like most players do when searching for quick runs (aggressively but sensibly) he would have averaged 100 that series. That's just the way he played, team first
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
Ah, Hadds. I'm gonna miss him when he retires from all formats, what a character. I love the way he's not afraid to have a joke with the media (always a dangerous thing to do) and the stuff he says behind the stumps - at least, the stuff we can hear - is frankly hilarious. "He's got a jaffa in him - might be today, might be in six months." Last day of the Sydney Test, there's one over where you can see him in the background between deliveries, having a very intense chat with Watto about one of the Indian batsman's technique, shadow-batting and everything. So funny.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Except come this summer that will be two years ago and his form since that series has been poor in Test Cricket. If he has a good winter we can reevaluate, but right now I'd say Haddin is in terminal decline. Great competitor and he took on a tough gig post-Gilly. Well done mate, be proud of your career Hads!
Bobbo7
Guest
He also threw his wicket away a lot when the team needed him to knuckle down.
chivasdude
Guest
Well done Hadds on a grand ODI career. His timing has always been impeccable. Has there very been a cricketer who put the team first as consistently as he has? He made runs when he had to, made them quick when the time called for it and never once thought about his average. A great 'keeper and mentor to younger players and loyal counsel to skippers. Waited a long time for his chance, never complained, and then took it with both gloves. Let's hope he is around for the Ashes.
Quitwhinging
Guest
Wade is ahead of Whiteman evidenced by his 4 day and one day Australia 'A' selection. If Whiteman was considered a frontrunner he'd be in there somewhere.
Nudge
Guest
He played for the team more than anyone that's why is average isn't as good as what it could have been. Have a look at some of his dismissals from the last ashes. He was playing crazy shots because Australia were after quick runs with leads in excess of 500
Bobbo7
Guest
I can't say I was a huge fan of the way Haddin played and I thought overall his batting stats should have been better for someone of that talent. But I guess he played some good innings and obviously was well liked in the Auatralian set up.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
I'd have to say Nevill for both, but the Smart money would be on Nevill for tests, Wade for ODIs. Nevill was in fantastic form in the ODDs last year. Whiteman had a great year a couple of years ago, and is still a really promising prospect, but he's dropped off a bit. With him being so young, I'd be happy to see him mature in the shield for a few more years.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
I disagree with those who state that Haddin should retire after the Ashes in England this September. In 63 Tests he has scored 3207 runs at 33.75 with four centuries besides taking 251 catches and stumping seven. He may be 37 going on to 38 now but he was at his best in the Ashes series in Australia in 2013-14 when he was 36 going on to 37 in age. In that series, he became the first no. 7 batsman in the history of Test cricket to reach 50 or more runs in the first innings of every Test in the five-Test series. He was the most consistent batsman in this series following his 94 and 53 in Brisbane, 118 (inclusive of 5 sixes) in the second Test in Adelaide (adding 200 for the sixth wicket with skipper Michael Clarke), 55 and 5 in the third Test in Perth, 65 in the fourth Test in Melbourne and 75 and 28 in the final Test in Sydney. Like his life-saving innings in Brisbane, his 65 on the MCG enabled Australia to recover from a poor start of 5 for 112. He topped the batting aggregate and average from both teams amassing 493 runs at 61.62 in that series. He grabbed 22 catches as well. The catch he took of Joe Root in the Perth Test was marvellous. Age does not matter, Brad Haddin. Continue in Test cricket till you are ready to say farewell.
Jameswm
Guest
Whiteman for the ODIs and Nevill for the tests? I could go with that.
CW
Guest
I also hope he gives up the gloves to his successor after the ashes. He has had a long and at times distinguished innings. Time for a younger man Hads. Neville is in the box seat. Would like Lehmann and Rod to go with a surprise and name West Aussie keeper Sam Whiteman to take on the Windies and the Black Caps next summer at home.
World in Cricket
Guest
Thanks for the memories Hadds - always loved ya work! ! Equally proficient behind the stumps and with bat in hand. Sensational way to go out by winning a World Cup final on home soil. Keep up the performances in the test arena
Matthew Russell
Roar Pro
Great ODI career Haddin. An absolute superstar and loved the way he played the game. He always showed plenty of passion and has got Australia out of trouble plenty of times. He showed great patience waiting behind Gilchrist and once he got his chance he has forged his own legacy. I hope he goes to the Ashes
jamesb
Guest
Good career in the ODIs. I hope he retires from Tests straight after the Ashes and then allow someone like Nevill to make his debut at home. Australia doesn't need to carry a 38 year old wicketkeeper in the home tests against NZ and WI.