Haddin says his free-hit strategy was planned

Brad Haddin has revealed that his unique batting strategy, which he used to tackle the free hit in the Twenty20 format, was planned for more than a year. Haddin amused everyone, especially Inzamam-ul-Haq, by retreating behind the stumps to take advantage of a free hit, which is awarded to batsmen every time the bowler oversteps his mark.

Haddin claimed that he had thought of the tactic, which was eventually unsuccessful, after his team-mates had failed to take advantage of a number of free hits in the ING Cup competition. "I've been thinking about it for a couple of weeks," Haddin told The Australian after trying out his new method against Shoaib Akhtar in Australia A's Twenty20 clash against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval.

"I thought if I got behind the stumps and the ball hit the stumps, it could deflect for four. Also it would give me more time to free my arms up and hit the ball. It was something different. Maybe I over-theorised a little bit, but we were all out there to have some fun."

David Hookes, Victoria's coach who passed away early last year, had apparently suggested the method at training. Hookes believed that the ball deflecting off the stumps would completely confuse the opposition fielders. Also, if the ball missed the stumps the batsman would have more time to adjust his stroke.

Irrespective of whether it works or not, Haddin will surely be remembered as the one who tried it first, like Mushtaq Mohammad for his reverse-sweep or Douglas Marillier for his scoop, and the Haddin "stance" could enter the cricket lexicon very soon.