Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has announced his retirement from cricket, following Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Chris Rogers in stepping down in the wake of the Ashes series defeat. 

The pugnacious 37-year-old, who retired from one-day cricket after Australia’s World Cup triumph earlier this year, kept wickets in 66 Tests, scoring 3,266 runs at an average of 32.98 and taking 262 catches with eight stumpings.

“

I’d just like today to announce my retirement from Test cricket and first class cricket with New South Wales.

”

Haddin said.

“

I’ve enjoyed the 17 years and am comfortable with my decision.

”

An assured pair of hands behind the stumps, Haddin’s runs were often extremely valuable to his country coming as they did in counter-attacking tail-end partnerships. 

His aggression sometimes courted controversy and his constant chirping at the wicket was the familiar accompanying soundtrack to Australia’s efforts in the field.

Haddin played his last match in the opening Test of the recently concluded Ashes series against England in Cardiff in July.

He missed the second Test to be with his seriously ill daughter and failed to regain his place in the side from Peter Nevill for the remainder of the series, which England won 3-2. 

With Adam Gilchrist his predecessor, Haddin had to wait until he was 30 until he played his first Test against West Indies in Kingston in 2008.

He lost his place in the Test side in 2012 when he stood down from the tour of West Indies for personal reasons but returned to the team in early 2013.

Appointed vice captain for the home Ashes series against England later that year, he surpassed 50 in six of his eight innings with one century and took 22 catches as Australia won back the urn with a 5-0 sweep.

Source - ABC