Australian captain Michael Clarke has effectively shut the door on Brad Haddin’s international cricket career with a glowing endorsement of his Test replacement Matthew Wade.
Selectors overlooked Haddin for the current South African series in favour of Wade, who now holds the Australian wicketkeeping role in all three formats of the game.
And Clarke foreshadowed that scenario continuing into the future, despite Haddin holding out hope for a Test recall amid a prolific run-scoring spree at domestic level.
“I feel like Wadey has been here for five years to be honest,” Clarke told reporters on Wednesday.
“He is that type of guy, he’s a very hard worker, he goes about his work the right way.
“He has got goals to become better and be the best player he can be.”
Clarke said four-Test gloveman Wade had only scratched the surface of his abilities at Test level.
“I think he’s a wonderful talent and we have seen a slight piece of that in Brisbane, the way he bats,” he said.
“And I think his `keeping continues to improve.
“He is a a great guy to have in the group and he’s in for a bright future, that’s for sure.”