CARDIFF: Ian Healy hopes Brad Haddin does not hang up the gloves after the Ashes, believing the veteran wicketkeeper remains a "scary proposition" for opponents batting at No.7 despite a run-scoring drought that has seen him post only one 50 since the last Test series against England.
Haddin was a hero of the 5-0 defeat of England 18 months ago thanks to his face-saving deeds with the bat when the top order repeatedly left those further down with work to do. Australia were 5-100 in the first innings of the first Test in Brisbane, 4-174 in Adelaide, 5-143 in Perth, 6-122 in Melbourne and 5-97 in Sydney. That they went on to win all five matches was in no small thanks down to Haddin, who in those particular innings scored 94, 118, 55, 65 and 75.
He has endured a fair tougher time of it since with the bat and at his age – he will be 38 by the time the home Test summer begins against New Zealand in November – it would not surprise if this turned out to be a farewell tour for Haddin.
Healy, however, believes he should go around again in the summer before retiring. The former Test 'keeper had a session with Haddin at Swalec Stadium on Monday and liked what he saw.
"He's in good shape with the gloves, really good, so hopefully he can carry that confidence into his first-innings batting as well but hopefully he doesn't have to," said Healy, in Cardiff with Channel Nine, who have sent a team to call an Ashes series in England for the first time since 1997.
"He's still a very scary opponent for an opposition coming in at No.7 and just talking to him about his excitement around playing this series, that should bring the best out of him. His attitude is more important right now than previous form."
If Haddin is intending to call it quits after the England tour he hasn't given too many hints. But Healy said he also kept his one-day retirement announcement after the World Cup close to his chest.
"He's not letting on, is he," Healy said. "He didn't even tell me about when he went from one-day cricket and I was working with him that day.
"It will be disappointing if this is his last series. I think he can go another summer, try to finish up in the summer."
The Ashes will be shown each night of the series from 7.30 on Gem.
