Brad Haddin joins the Australian coaching staff

Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has joined the coaching staff of Aussies for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh.  Greg Blewett has stepped down from his position as fielding coach to return back home and sign up with the South Australian Cricket Association. Haddin’s contract will run till the end of 2019. He joined the staff as the high-performance coach of the side.

The veteran of 66 Test matches and 126 ODIs, Haddin has previously assisted the Australian U-17 and U-19 squads. He has also been a part of the New South Wales’ set up. Along with his former team-mate Ryan Harris, Haddin served as an assistant with the Australian ‘A’ squads in their games against India ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’ sides.

Thrilled to take up the role

“I am thrilled to get the opportunity to work with this young group of players,” Haddin said in a statement. “I grew up in an era of players like Andrew Symonds and Ricky Ponting who gave Australian cricket a real identity in the standards of world-class fielding. They were the type of players who took it personally if the team wasn’t fielding well and that created a level for the rest of the group to aspire to.” added Haddin as per the quotes on cricket.com.au

“I want to hold this group accountable to that kind of standard and I believe we have the talent to do that. It will be hard work but I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Interestingly, Haddin and Blewett are both currently with the Australian squad, as they assembled in Darwin for a training camp ahead of the 2-Test match series in Bangladesh. Blewett, who joined the squad under Darren Lehmann, will also work with the U-19 players and assist the Adelaide Strikers under fast bowler Jason Gillespie.

Australia will start their campaign with a 2-day practice game in Fatullah before locking horns with the spirited Bangladesh side on August 27.