Test cricket captain and selector Michael Clarke says wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s batting appears to be back to its best after watching him star for NSW in the drawn Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at Bankstown Oval.
Haddin, who withdrew from the Test squad in the West Indies earlier in the year after his young daughter Mia fell seriously ill, scored 114 the first innings of the game which finished on Saturday.
Clarke confirmed Haddin was again available for international duty and said his first innings knock against the Tigers was outstanding.
“He’s been hitting the ball well in the nets, but hadn’t made a big score so far this year, so it was nice to see him spend some time in the middle,” Clarke told reporters.
“It looks like he’s back batting at his best and I’m sure he’s got ambitions to push for selection back in the Australian team.”
Clarke was also bullish about the international prospects of Australia T20 and one-day representative Moises Henriques, who maintained his hot early season form.
Henriques, who scored 78 in one- and four-day games against WA in Perth earlier this month, scored 161 not out and 50 not out against the Tigers and took 3-41 in their second innings.
“He scores 160 not out in the first innings and 50 in the second, and takes a few wickets. There’s no reason why he can’t play at the highest level in all three forms of the game,” Clarke said.
“It’s about consistent performance. He’s performed really well in the first three games, so it’s a really good start to the season for Moises.
“He’s as gifted as anyone I’ve seen in the first-class arena, that’s for sure.’
Clarke declared at 6-198 after sparkling innings from Henriques and Nic Maddinson (86).
A 111-run fifth wicket stand between Aiden Blizzard (88) and captain Tim Paine (40) briefly raised hopes of a late Tigers charge.
However, they perished in successive overs and James Faulkner (0) also went as the visitors lost 3-6.
“I think we were a very good chance right up until probably when myself and Blizzard got out,” Paine said.
For Tasmania, opener Mark Cosgrove followed up his first innings 84 with 44.
Test batsmen Ricky Ponting and Ed Cowan scored 34 and eight, respectively.
NSW lead the ladder on eight points, the only team to have played two Shield games this season.
They will not have one in October, due to the Sydney Sixers’ participation in the Champions League T20 tournament in South Africa.
Tasmania’s next Shield engagement will be against South Australia in Adelaide starting October 9.