Haddin wins backing from two greats

Ian Healy has joined Adam Gilchrist in supporting the rise of Brad Haddin into Australia's Test and one-day teams. Haddin, the New South Wales gloveman who has played 26 ODIs, has been Gilchrist's understudy and Healy believes he is ready for the full-time role.

"Three years ago I thought he had a bit of work to do, but I have been really impressed with the perfection he has been achieving with his glovework," Healy told the Courier-Mail. "And you could not help but be impressed with the number of domestic runs he makes, especially when New South Wales needs them."

Gilchrist said in his retirement speech Haddin was "ripe for the picking, right at the peak of his game". "Brad's shown already that he can handle international cricket as a batsman alone," Gilchrist said. "His glovework is outstanding and he's going to make a real impression in the world stage."

The retirement of Gilchrist also means there is a vacancy as Ponting's deputy and Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey are the leading contenders. Healy prefers the promotion of Clarke, a move which has also been supported by Shane Warne.

"If Ricky Ponting's back does not come up then Clarke should captain the side with the help of Hussey and Matthew Hayden," Healy said. Ponting suffered a mild injury in the fourth Test against India and the squads for the limited-overs matches are due to be named on Wednesday.