“I’ve had an outstanding career, I’ve enjoyed every minute, and in the end the decision was not a hard one”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket effective immediately.
Haddin, who retired from ODIs after Australia won the 2015 World Cup, represented the Baggy Greens in 66 Tests and scored 3266 runs, which included four centuries, at an average of 32.98. He also claimed 262 catches and recorded 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 said. “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.”
The 37-year-old admitted that he knew it was time to call it a day after he missed the second Ashes Test against England at Lord’s due to family reasons.
Peter Nevill replaced Haddin behind the stumps for the remainder of the Ashes, which England went on to win 3-2.
“I came to the realisation, probably after Lord’s, that I’d lost that fight to continue,” he said. “I was all about trying to make myself the best cricketer I could be every time I walked out on the training paddock and I probably lost that hunger from there.”
Haddin also revealed that he will always treasure Australia’s 5-0 whitewashing of England in the 2013-14 Ashes series and also took the opportunity to thank the fans for their constant support in times both good and bad.
“The 5-0 one was an amazing series, not just the cricket but the whole theatre around the country, how everyone embraced that campaign and the way we were playing,” he said. “But the highlight for me is the support you get in the good and the bad. The support me and my family have had over the last couple of years from the Australian public is amazing.”
Even though Haddin joins former captain Michael Clarke, all-rounder Shane Watson and opener Chris Rogers on the list of Australian cricketers to have retired from Test cricket, the wicketkeeper-batsman has no doubts that the future of Australian cricket remains bright.
“It’s an exciting time, I think we can cover all the retirements, we’ve got a great leader in Steve Smith,” he said. “He’s going to be a great leader for a long period of time. Australian cricket is always healthy.”