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Brad Haddin may hope to follow the same career path of Adam Gilchrist, but he isn’t for one moment aiming to emulate the man who revolutionised the role of wicketkeeper in world cricket.
After serving one of the longest apprenticeships in Australian cricket, the 30-year-old becomes the country’s 400th Test cricketer after being presented with his baggy green cap before the first Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park.
The comparisons with Gilchrist, a once-in-a-generation player, will be inevitable.
But as much as he credits the explosive keeper-batsman with helping him push his own game to a higher level, Haddin is determined to cut his own path.
“You’ve got to have confidence in your own ability to make sure you make your own mark,” says Haddin.
“The most important thing is to be yourself, and that’s all.
“The pressure you put on yourself should only be the pressure to succeed, so there’s no point trying to be someone you’re not.”
Many a player has made similar remarks about the challenge of replacing a champion.
Few have succeeded, although few would be as qualified as Haddin to successfully step out from the giant shadow cast by Gilchrist in retirement.
Since becoming a regular member of the team’s touring party three years ago, Haddin says he has prepared for every Australian Test as if he was going to play.
He has featured 29 times in one-day internationals. Was part of Australia’s World Cup squad. And has been on the Cricket Australia contract list for four years.
When he made his one-day debut for Australia seven years ago, Haddin claims he was not then ready for international cricket.
Ask him if he is ready now, and Haddin has no doubt that he is up to the challenge of Test cricket.
“Now I understand my game and what works for me,” he says.
“I feel a lot more comfortable now. I think as you get older you understand when you go through the bad patches how to get out of it quicker.
“Talent wise, I think you always have the talent, but from a preparation point of view and the mental side of the game, you just understand your role and how to play much better … you’ve honed your skills, so once you get in a pressure situation you know you can get through with your technique. That basically comes with maturity.”
Still, as much as Haddin is prepared, the NSW ‘keeper is proof that you can’t plan for overcoming nerves.
Like most of the 399 Test debutants before him, Haddin struggled for sleep before his first game.
It didn’t hinder his training.
Now finally in a leading role after years as an understudy, the fair-haired ‘keeper even seemed to lift his already impressive workrate at practice since arriving in Jamaica last week.
Vice-captain Michael Hussey, in particular, noted Haddin’s attitude – as well as a few jitters.
“He seems very comfortable, very relaxed,” says Hussey.
“He’s been concentrating on his own preparation.
“But I definitely sense there have been a few nerves starting to kick in … and I know he has been a bit worried about how he was going to sleep.
“I know his family have all arrived, which is fantastic for him, but that also adds an added sort of distraction as well.
“But it is a great time to experience, all the emotions that go through your body, whether they’re helpful or not, you wouldn’t want it any other way because it’s such an emotional sort of time really.”
While becoming Australia’s 400th Test cricketer, Haddin is just the fourth player in two decades to keep wicket for Australia.
Combined, Ian Healy and Gilchrist – both former world record holders – have filled the role for 225 of Australia’s last 226 Tests (Phil Emery played just once when Healy was injured in 1994.) – and together have accounted for more than 800 Test dismissals.
It is an incredible record.
And, while two years older than Gilchrist when his predecessor first put on the baggy green, there is no reason to believe Haddin, barring injury, cannot add to that remarkable run and play at least 70 Tests for Australia over the next five or six years.
First, though, is getting through game number one.
“Wicketkeeper is obviously a generational position, you sort of need to be able to be born at the right time in some cases,” Haddin says.
“But I haven’t thought too much about how many Tests I want to play. I’m just excited about playing my first and hopefully contributing to a series win.”
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