Australia wicketkeeoer Haddin quits test cricket

Australian cricket team wicket keeper Brad Haddin announces his retirement from the sport at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Haddin’s retirement follows former Australian captains Michael Clarke and Shane Watson as well as opener Chris Rogers in stepping down after the Ashes series defeat. REUTERS

Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin announced his retirement from first class cricket this week, following Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Chris Rogers in stepping down from tests in the wake of the Ashes series defeat.

The pugnacious 37-year-old, who retired from one day cricket after Australia’s World Cup triumph earlier this year, kept wickets in 66 tests, scoring 3,266 runs at an average of 32.98 and taking 262 catches with eight stumpings.

“I’ve had an outstanding career, I’ve enjoyed every minute, and in the end the decision was not a hard one,” Haddin, who played 17 seasons for New South Wales, told a media conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

“Once you’ve lost that will to get up and do the things you need to do to play for Australia, it’s time to walk away. I’ve had a great run and I couldn’t be happier with the way I’m leaving the game.”

An assured pair of hands behind the stumps, Haddin’s runs were often extremely valuable to his country coming as they did in counter-attacking tail-end partnerships.

Haddin, renowned as a talkative, tough competitor, played his last match in the opening test of the recently concluded Ashes series against England in July.

He missed the second test at Lord’s to be with his sick daughter and failed to regain his place in the side from Peter Nevill for the remainder of the series, which England won 3-2.

With Adam Gilchrist his predecessor, Haddin had to wait until he was 30 until he played his first test against West Indies in 2008. He lost his place in the side in 2012 when he stood down from the tour of West Indies for personal reasons but returned in early 2013.

Appointed vice captain for the home Ashes series against England, he surpassed 50 in six of his eight innings and took 22 catches as Australia won back the urn with a 5-0 sweep.

Haddin, who will continue to play some domestic Twenty20 cricket, said he had confidence Australia’s test future was bright despite the loss of so many experienced players.