Wicketkeeper in line for full-time international promotion

Haddin wins backing from two greats

Cricinfo staff

January 30, 2008

	Brad Haddin is ready to take Adam Gilchrist's gloves © Getty Images

Ian Healy has joined Adam Gilchrist in supporting the rise of Brad Haddin into Australia's Test and one-day teams. Haddin, the New South Wales gloveman who has played 26 ODIs, has been Gilchrist's understudy and Healy believes he is ready for the full-time role.

"Three years ago I thought he had a bit of work to do, but I have been really impressed with the perfection he has been achieving with his glovework," Healy told the Courier-Mail. "And you could not help but be impressed with the number of domestic runs he makes, especially when New South Wales needs them."

Gilchrist said in his retirement speech Haddin was "ripe for the picking, right at the peak of his game". "Brad's shown already that he can handle international cricket as a batsman alone," Gilchrist said. "His glovework is outstanding and he's going to make a real impression in the world stage."

The retirement of Gilchrist also means there is a vacancy as Ponting's deputy and Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey are the leading contenders. Healy prefers the promotion of Clarke, a move which has also been supported by Shane Warne.

"If Ricky Ponting's back does not come up then Clarke should captain the side with the help of Hussey and Matthew Hayden," Healy said. Ponting suffered a mild injury in the fourth Test against India and the squads for the limited-overs matches are due to be named on Wednesday.

© Cricinfo

Add to del.icio.us | digg this | Stumble It What's this? If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content on cricket, you may use these buttons. When you add them to any of these sites, you "social bookmark" them for others to find and rate. More on del.icio.us>> More on digg>> More on stumbleupon>> Close

Live scores, results, news, features and more - a click away Download the Cricinfo Toolbar Current Cricinfo fantasy games - SL v Ind, Eng v SA & County Cricket Login and check the standings Live scores from across the world on your mobile phone Cricinfo Mobile

Players/Umpires

Michael Clarke

Adam Gilchrist

Brad Haddin

Matthew Hayden

Ian Healy

Series/Tournaments

Commonwealth Bank Series

India tour of Australia

Australia Domestic Season

Teams

Australia