Haddin as a batsman?

[GVGjr]

I watched AB de Villiers destroy the Indians the other night with an explosive century and I was wondering given some of the question marks on our specialist batsman at the moment if there would be some merit in playing Paine (when fit) or Wade as the glove man and giving Haddin the number 6 spot?

Surely Haddins batting would improve if he wasn't having to wicket keep as well?

[MrMahatma]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

I watched AB de Villiers destroy the Indians the other night with an explosive century and I was wondering given some of the question marks on our specialist batsman at the moment if there would be some merit in playing Paine (when fit) or Wade as the glove man and giving Haddin the number 6 spot?

Surely Haddins batting would improve if he wasn't having to wicket keep as well?

Interesting suggestion. At the moment his keeping is woeful and while he's adding value through batting, he tends to ruin it by dropping catches. I'd love to see another, better, keeper in. Playing Haddin as a batsman could have a two-fold benefit.

1. As you say, his batting may improve (although it's already pretty good)
2. Our keeping may improve.

Of course, neither of these could happen also.

[chef]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Not for me, seems like a bit of a stop gap solution. We need to be getting games into young guys with an eye for the future with Ponting, Hussey, katich and Haddin all likely to be gone within the next 12-18 months.

[GVGjr]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Interesting suggestion. At the moment his keeping is woeful and while he's adding value through batting, he tends to ruin it by dropping catches. I'd love to see another, better, keeper in. Playing Haddin as a batsman could have a two-fold benefit.

1. As you say, his batting may improve (although it's already pretty good)
2. Our keeping may improve.

Of course, neither of these could happen also.

My view on Haddin is that his batting would improve if he didn't have to be the wicket keeper plus he would probably be a great pad pad fieldsman. With Ponting, Katich and Hussey in the twilight of their careers we could probably eventually transition to Haddin as an experienced batsman.

[Topdog]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Not for me, seems like a bit of a stop gap solution. We need to be getting games into young guys with an eye for the future with Ponting, Hussey, katich and Haddin all likely to be gone within the next 12-18 months.

Not while we are 1-1 in an Ashes series.

[GVGjr]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Not while we are 1-1 in an Ashes series.

I'm not suggesting that Haddin should be used as a batsman now but perhaps somewhere down the track if Katich, Hussey or Ponting move on.

I agree we can't be too bold and brave at the moment.

[chef]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Not while we are 1-1 in an Ashes series.

It shouldn't matter. Smith was added to the team while we were 1 nil down.

[chef]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

I'm not suggesting that Haddin should be used as a batsman now but perhaps somewhere down the track if Katich, Hussey or Ponting move on.

I agree we can't be too bold and brave at the moment.

Haddin won't be far behind these guys in terms of retirement(he's already 33).

[Bornadog]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Good suggestion, I have never liked him as a keeper and think there are others that are better.

Tim Paine would be ideal as well as a contender for Captain.

[chef]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Good suggestion, I have never liked him as a keeper and think there are others that are better.

Tim Paine would be ideal as well as a contender for Captain.

May I ask why?

[Bornadog]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

May I ask why?

Has shown good leadership potential and is respected by players.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Ive always thought he was a good keeper, alot more 4 byes would go through if it wasnt for him anyway!

[Mantis]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Ive always thought he was a good keeper, alot more 4 byes would go through if it wasnt for him anyway!

Your standards must be pretty low in you think Haddin is a good keeper. He takes some very good catches and some even better 'gathers', but some of the catches he puts down show a lack of foot work & timing.

[Twodogs]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Back in the '70s the Victorian 'keeper Richie Robinson was picked in the same team as Rod Marsh as a specialist batsmen. I can see merit in the idea because whilst Haddin is one of the worst 'keepers I have seen play for Australia I think his batting is very good.

[GVGjr]

Re: Haddin as a batsman?

Back in the '70s the Victorian 'keeper Richie Robinson was picked in the same team as Rod Marsh as a specialist batsmen. I can see merit in the idea because whilst Haddin is one of the worst 'keepers I have seen play for Australia I think his batting is very good.

From memory, Robinson opened the batting and failed and also fielded mainly at the bat pad position. Haddin wouldn't need to open but he could become an effective number 6 and a handy fieldsman.