Bangladesh in Australia 2008

Haddin raring to take back the gloves

Cricinfo staff

August 27, 2008

	Brad Haddin has given his previously injured finger a good workout at the team training camp in Queensland © Getty Images

Brad Haddin is desperate to get back into Australian colours after breaking a finger on the recent Caribbean tour, just as he was settling into the role as the country's No. 1 wicketkeeper. The three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, which starts in Darwin this Saturday, gives him the perfect chance to ensure the injury is fully healed.

"I got the cast off last week, the results were good," Haddin told AAP. "The fracture is stable and I'm right to get back into cricket. It was frustrating for a while because it took a little bit longer to get right. Over the last two days I've had a great chance to test it out and I've had no problems."

The injury to the ring finger on his right hand was a case of bad timing for Haddin, who is still familiarising himself with the top job following Adam Gilchrist's retirement. Haddin's break allowed Luke Ronchi to make an impressive start to his international career, although Haddin is also still enjoying a few firsts of his own.

"For me personally it's another international," Haddin said of the Bangladesh games. "It's the first time I've had the opportunity to keep in Australia since Adam retired. I'm jumping at the bit to have an opportunity to play in front of an Australian crowd."

Unlike his predecessor, Haddin is not being asked to open and has instead slotted into a No. 6 or 7 position. But the absence of Matthew Hayden for the Bangladesh games could give him an opportunity to nudge up the order slightly, a move that would not bother the versatile Haddin.

"I've been lucky I've batted from one to seven," he said. "In the early days it was a little difficult getting used to that. But I think as you get older and you mature more for a personal point of view, I'm not really fussed these days. I'm pretty comfortable in the role I've been playing at six and seven in the middle order."

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