Haddin to let bat do the talking

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THE injury-ridden Australia camp is feeling a little more comfortable about the rest of the one-day series in India after solid performances from some of the fringe players in the washed-out first match. More... Haddin to let bat do the talking From Peter Lalor in Bangalore, India October 01, 2007 THE injury-ridden Australia camp is feeling a little more comfortable about the rest of the one-day series in India after solid performances from some of the fringe players in the washed-out first match. Ricky Ponting, who looks likely to play on Tuesday in Kochi after his hamstring responded well to treatment, knows he need not rush after a good effort from the middle order. decision on Ponting will not be taken until the morning of the match. Australia bowled only 17 balls before rain ruined the match, but one swinging full-length delivery from Mitchell Johnson's bodes well for the future. The ball trapped Sachin Tendulkar in front for a duck. It was the second time Johnson had dismissed the star batsman and the shrill crowd magnanimously gave the bowler and his teammates a moment's silence to enjoy the achievement. "I've grown up watching Sachin and it's just amazing to get to bowl to him and to try to get him out," Johnson said. "To get to play against legends of the game - I'll be telling the kids and the grandkids." The tall left-armer has 27 wickets from 19 one-day outings and is an exciting prospect. Brad Haddin's commanding performance with the bat indicates that when Adam Gilchrist retires, the next wicketkeeper may provide a little of the same shotmaking swagger. Haddin, 29, has been following the Australian caravan around for a number of years, but his 69 from 83 balls shows he's not on the bus as a back-up keeper alone. Like Gilchrist, he wants one thing to be clear before anyone starts discussing his batting. "I'm always a wicketkeeper first," Haddin said. "I've spent a bit of time working on my batting and I've been lucky enough to make my way into the team with the bat, so I wanted to make a statement that I can bat as well." Haddin has a first-class average of 40, including seven centuries and 30 half-centuries. He formed a crucial partnership with Michael Clarke in the first one-day match but was so focused he was barely aware of the match situation. "To be perfectly honest, I didn't take too much notice of the scoreboard," he said. "I usually look at it all the time, but I didn't think too much about it. I didn't want to complicate things. I hadn't had a hit for a long time, so I was just trying to worry about the ball. "It was good to get some time in the middle at this time of the year. I've been touring with Australia for a couple of years with not much opportunity so I was looking forward to today." It is a hard life for the fringe players and Haddin must be aware that if Ponting is fit for the next match he might be watching from the stands. However, he has had plenty of practice at handling such disappointment. Haddin has played just 22 one-day internationals since making his debut against Zimbabwe in 2000-2001. "In all honesty, I don't get too frustrated about it any more. I've been lucky enough to tour for a while now," Haddin said. "You've just got to stay true to yourself. "I always work hard on my game and on nights like this, you have to take the opportunities because they can easily be taken away from you." It's a balancing act for Haddin to work on his batting, keeping and fielding. He concedes it is strange to walk out to field without the gloves. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a different mindset, but it's enjoyable because you're used to keeping all the time," he said. "I'm doing as much work as ever with my wicketkeeping. "I'll never let my wicketkeeping slide."

[King]

Irrespective of who's available and who's injured the Aussies can't be counted out at any point in time. Clarke played wonderfully well and Haddin was quite good too the other day.

[Rahul Khan]

Haddin happy to have a hit! Brad Haddin has spent plenty of time as a spectator this year so he was simply pleased to get a decent hit in Australia's opening ODI against India on Saturday. Haddin made 69 in Australia's imposing 307 at Bangalore but he could miss Tuesday's match at Kochi as Ricky Ponting recovers well from a hamstring injury. Haddin was part of Australia's World Cup-winning squad in the Caribbean but did not play a game and was used as a specialist batsman in two matches at the ICC World Twenty20, facing a total of 20 balls. His effort on Saturday was his second half-century in 22 ODIs and justified Australia's decision to include him and Adam Gilchrist in the same side. "I'm always a wicketkeeper first," Haddin told the Australian. "I've spent a bit of time working on my batting and I've been lucky enough to make my way into the team with the bat, so I wanted to make a statement that I can bat as well.

"I didn't take too much notice of the scoreboard. I usually look at it all the time, but I didn't think too much about it. I didn't want to complicate things. I hadn't had a hit for a long time, so I was just trying to worry about the ball." Haddin was one of the leading scorers in Australia's domestic one-day competition last year when he made 406 runs at 67.66. However, if Ponting continues his quick recovery it could force Haddin back on the sidelines in the second ODI. Gilchrist said he was pleased Haddin had showed his potential. "People may think he only gets picked in these squads as a backup keeper but to me he is very much here on his own batting ability," Gilchrist told the Sydney Morning Herald. "He was in the World Cup squad as a spare batsman and it is a bonus he is also the next-in-line wicketkeeper."

© Cricinfo

[Rahul Khan]

Haddin st Dhoni b Yuvraj 69 83 7 1 Haddin not out 87 69 8 3 whats going on...he is doing what he said!

[Gaurav]

Respect to Haddin!

[yoda]

we always like to give fringe players a nice career boost.

[guju24]

we always like to give fringe players a nice career boost.

thats 100% rite man....the guy comes at #6 or 7 and makes over 50 runs....shame on indian bowlers....

[Mr. Wicket]

Love it - the guy's really grabbed this opportunity with both hands, and taken full toll of the Indian bowling. Great to see how he's making a case for taking over the number 7 slot with F&cking Useless injured again, and proving to his detractors in Aus. just how adaptable a batsman he is.

[Rahul Khan]

Respect to Haddin!

with full respect...I question the credibility of big names in our team...say what!

[fineleg]

What Haddin has done is Walk the Talk. Our cricketers should do the same.

[Rahul Khan]

What Haddin has done is Walk the Talk. Our cricketers should do the same.

yeah and look on the other hand...

As Dhoni admitted after the match, the batsmen failed to rotate the strike, failed to "hit out without taking risks" and succumbed to the pressure. As in Bangalore, he emphasised one point. "We're starting off well. Our fast bowlers are getting wickets, even though we give some boundaries. Up until the 20th over we bowled very well... but after that we gave too many runs. Plus we're not bowling well at the death. We need to work on the middle overs, especially between the 30th and 50th overs."