Bangladesh vs Australia: Brad Haddin intends to restore Australia’s reputation as a fearsome fielding unit

Brad Haddin also heaped praises on Matthew Wade, claiming him as the Test team's No. 1 wicketkeeper-batsman.

Since the conclusion of the pay dispute between Cricket Australia (CA) and Australian Cricket Association (ACA), Australia have revamped their side and are set to take on Bangladesh with a fresh intent. One such change was the appointment of Brad Haddin as the High Performance coach. Haddin feels Australia’s cricketers have a long way to go to get their fielding up to the scratch. Haddin has vowed to restore Australia’s reputation as fearsome fielding unit in his new role. Haddin also believes Australia needs attitude adjustment in terms of fielding, but he heaped praises on Matthew Wade, claiming him as the Test team’s No. 1 wicketkeeper-batsman. Full Cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs Australia, 1st Test at Mirpur

Haddin replaced Greg Blewett, who has taken the role of working with the South Australian Cricket Association. “I think in the field we have got a long way to go at the moment. We used to have a real identity with the likes of Ponting and Symonds. I think that’s fallen off a bit and I’m hoping to get us back to those days. I think it’s an attitude thing. I think fielding really reflects on where your group is going. If one guy is not doing their job and there’s a weak link it lets down the bowlers. There’s no point having four or guys who can bowl at 150kph if we’re not creating an uncomfortable environment (for the opposition batters) and taking all our chances. I think it all comes back to an attitude thing,” Haddin told in the Big Sports Breakfast radio program exposing Australia’s fielding concerns.

Coach Darren Lehmann is positive Haddin can bring back Australia’s aggressive fielders just like one witnessed during 2015 World Cup. “We had a really solid fielding group when we had all the experienced guys in the World Cup year, but in the last couple of years there’s been a lot of changes in the player group with some younger guys coming in.”

“So getting back to the standard that we want when you’re representing Australia is important. Blewy (Blewett) started that process, now Hadds gets to continue it on and develop his own style,” Lehmann told cricket.com.au.