Mentally fitter Brad Haddin can last two more Ashes at least, feels Ian Healy

"Mentally fresh" Haddin can last till 2018

Sydney: Dec 19, 2013

Australian wicketkeeping legend, Ian Healy has backed current wicketkeeper, Brad Haddin to keep his job behind the stumps until at least the next Ashes series in 2015 because of his ”great mental state”.

It is in contrast to former coach Mickey Arthur, sacked after a 4-0 thumping in India in March, who was concerned that 36-year-old Haddin would leave a gaping hole in the national side when he decided to hang up the gloves.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that although past keeping greats such as Adam Gilchrist and Rodney Marsh retired at Haddin’s age, however, Healy believes that Haddin’s late arrival on the international scene, plus a recent hiatus because of the illness of his daughter, means that he has played relatively little cricket.

Healy also said that there is no reason why Haddin could not double his 52 Tests before pulling up stumps, which would take him to 2018, past his 40th birthday and the next two Ashes series, saying that the ”new perspective on life” Haddin’s daughter’s illness gave him means that he now sees cricket as a game and not just his livelihood.

Stating that Haddin is in a right frame of mind as he is relaxed, enjoying the game and taking a few risks, Healy also said that Haddin would either double his 52 Tests or get to 75 very easily and then think about retiring.