BJ Haddin of Australia

Full Name:

Bradley James Haddin

DoB:

Sunday, October 23, 1977

Birthplace:

Cowra, NSW

Teams:

NSW

Test Debut:

not yet capped

ODI Debut:

v Zimbabwe at Hobart (Bellerive), 2001

Bats:

RH

Bowls:

n/a (wkt)

Player Record:

link to stats

Brad Haddin will one day be given the hardest job in world cricket when the Australian selectors invite him to replace the great Adam Gilchrist as Australia's wicket-keeper batsman.

He's around the same age, 27, as Gilchrist was when he made his debut and with the man in possession hinting that he might give up the gloves to prolong his batting career Haddin could get a chance sooner rather than later.

Haddin is a hard-hitting batsman in the Gilchrist mould, though as a character on the field he's more the stereotypical in-your-face Aussie loudmouth, forever asking after the whereabouts of the batsman's father.

He's not quite in Gilchrist's league as a batsman, but an average of around 37 in state cricket is far from shabby and sound judges say he is improving with every season that passes.

Brad Haddin is the best gloveman in Australia and not far behind Adam Gilchrist in his ability to smash it to all parts when he bats.

His batting has improved to the extent where he's probably good enough to play in Tests as a modern wicket-keeper/batsman.

I played state cricket with him for a number of years and he was always a natural striker of the ball but he's really honed his skills over the past couple of years.

What he's eradicated are a high percentage of low score which were linked to his nerves. He's a very tense character who often throws up in the dressing room before a game and even sometimes on the outfield.

He's matured a lot as a person and therefore as a cricketer, and I'd put him ahead of Gilchrist as a gloveman, mainly because he's a bit shorter and more agile.