The Ashes 2013 - The Characters: Brad Haddin

Brad Haddin scored a ton at Cardiff in the opening test of the 2009 Ashes and helped Australia draw that match. He continued to make valuable contributions in that series but could not help his team cross the line as Australia slumped to a defeat. Haddin was even better in 2010-11 and repeated the feat of scoring a ton at the opening test match at the Gabba. He scored 136 runs in that game and finished with 360 runs in that series. He will be hoping to make a hat-trick of that particular achievement at Nottingham come Wednesday when the first test begins.

Brad Haddin plays a shot during the warm-up game against Somerset

His glove-work has never been a cause of worry for Australia and he was perhaps the greater wicket-keeper in comparison to Adam Gilchrist. He will be tested in the English condition where the ball swerves a lot but his previous experiences will hold him in good stead. He will have to make sure that he hangs on to the dismissals created by the likes of James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle.

The other important role that Haddin will play for this side is that of a leader. He is the vice-captain of the side and with Michael Clarke being injury prone, he might have to take on the reins at some stage. Even if that calamity does not befall the Australian side, the inexperience of the side means that Haddin will have a considerable role to play.

While most of the media is trying to mount pressure by making a comparison to the Australian sides of the past, Haddin has made all the rights sounds by talking about living in the present and investing his faith in the current bunch of players.

He said, “I think it’s important to live in the moment. We’ve got a Test series starting in two days. We can sit and talk about what’s happened before and some great games in Australian cricket and English cricket. It’s about us now, starting in a couple of days’ time – another exciting Test series.”

“It’s a new series. The hurt from the last two series will never go away and nor should it. But it’s a new campaign. New dreams are made, new experiences are about to be had. It’s important we move forward and enjoy this for what it is.”

Haddin’s honesty and old-school approach is a good sign for Australian cricket as he will energize the side with his aggressive style of playing the game as well as nurture it with his wisdom that he has gathered as the captain of New South Wales.