The Ashes: In sight of Rod Marsh's record, Haddin wants Aussies to win Oval Test
Aussie keeper feels milestones can wait as veteran stars aims to play 2015 ICC World Cup.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: August 20, 2013 02:11 PM IST
Brad Haddin is keen to play the 2015 ICC World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand. This is inspite of the fact that he has not been Australia's regular wicketkeeper in the ODI format. Haddin last played an ODI in February this year against West Indies.
In the ongoing Ashes series, Haddin is back as the No. 1 keeper ahead of Matthew Wade. He is on the brink of breaking the record for the most dismissals in a Test series as England and Australia gear up for the fifth and final Test at The Oval.
Haddin is keen to extend his career. He wants to play the return Ashes series in Australia later this year and also the 2015 World Cup.
Should he play the World Cup, he will be 37 and for Haddin it would be a fine return to the game. In the last six months, Wade has been Australia's first choice keeper in all the three formats. Haddin came into this Ashes series to add some experience to the side and also take up the role of vice-captain to Michael Clarke. Though he has only played three ODIs in the last 18 months, Haddin reckons he has plenty of cricket left in him as far as the 50-over format is concerned.
"I think I've still got a lot of cricket left in me now and to the 2015 World Cup. So I'm keen to play there," he said. "The vice-captaincy, it was an honour to do that on this tour but it doesn't change the role or how you look at things. You've still got to perform. You still have to be challenging yourself to get better."
A team man to the core, Haddin does not rate the approaching personal milestone above his team winning. Breaking the record would take him past Rodney Marsh's all-time world record of 28 wicketkeeping dismissals in a series. That came in the 1982-83 series that was played in Australia.
"I was not aware of the record at all," Haddin said. "I'd take that back for a win. You don't go into games looking for personal achievement; you go in looking to win. If you tick those milestones off on the way, it's flattering but also pretty hollow if you don't win any cricket games. I'd love to win this one moving forward to Australia."
Here in England Australia are in danger of losing 4-0. While the bowlers gave the Aussies enough chances to win games, the batting crashed at crucial periods.