brad haddin

Born: 23.10.1977
State: New South Wales
Tests: 0
Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman
Bat: Right-hand
Bowl: n/a
Bat Average: n/a
Bowl Average: n/a

Brad Haddin is the man charged with the unenviable task of displacing Adam Gilchrist, the most destructive wicketkeeper-batsman ever to play the game.

Haddin himself is a similar player to Gilchrist, with his aggressive batting undoubtedly his stronger suit. A first-class average a tick under 39 puts him in the upper eschelons of batting glovemen, but despite 18 ODIs he has yet to play in a Test.

Haddin is now firmly established as reserve keeper, but his most significant contribution to Australia's cause may be the errant pass of a rugby ball that led to Glenn McGrath's series-defining injury at Edgbaston last year.

A typically brash, confident Aussie, Haddin has seen off the challenge of his peers and a raft of younger rivals to remain the man best-placed to succeed Gilchrist when he eventually decides to hang up his gloves.

That could conceivably come as early as next year, but barring an injury to the incumbent, Haddin is likely to be watching rather than competing in this Ashes series.