Don't think there are any probablies about it; he certainly isn't. I actually think it's highly likely that none of us would have even heard of the best gloveman in the country; he's probably a lousy bat and plays third grade or something like that. As a package though I definitely think Haddin's the best option - as TEC said, it's a tough call to drop a bloke who can keep wicket to a decent standard and average 40 with the bat. He's not awesome with the gloves but I certainly think he's better than Prior and Akmal for example - he's decent enough.He's probably not the best gloveman in the country.
This. Actually think he's keeping better this summer than he has before at Test level.He's good enough and has shown enough to warrant his place in the Australian team. He's hardly a failure with the gloves, can be sloppy at times but so can Dhoni, Prior and Akmal.
I get the feeling that it's all or nothing with him with regards to his batting. If he comes in with Aust in a good position, he can further kill the opposition and if he comes in in trouble, its a roll of the dice. He'll either fail or hit Australia back in the game.
I guess that's all you can ask from your keeper/batsman at 7.
Either way, he's good to watch with the bat when he's going, and he looks like a massive dickhead of a bloke (from a far of course).
Yeh, you're probably right there.This. Actually think he's keeping better this summer than he has before at Test level.
Tbf, Prior has been excellent for most of this year.but I certainly think he's better than Prior and Akmal for example - he's decent enough.
I don't think Gilchrist of Haddin would be in the top 5 glovemen to play for Australia. Granted, Gilchrist has been Australia's best ever Batsman/Keeper, but as far as pure keeping ability neither would be in the top 5.I don't really think Haddin's keeping is any worse than Gilchrist's was to be honest, remember Gilly used to have his shockers with the gloves now and then (eg England in 2001), and it wasn't unheard of for him to drop some pretty regulation chances, however he was always capable of balancing the ledger by taking the odd screamer. Haddin seems much the same to me.
And Haddin's batting is comfortably better than any of the other contenders at this point.
Yeah I don't imagine they would be either, not saying I rate Haddin's keeping all that highly, I just don't think his glovework is any worse than what we've been getting over the past decade..I don't think Gilchrist of Haddin would be in the top 5 glovemen to play for Australia. Granted, Gilchrist has been Australia's best ever Batsman/Keeper, but as far as pure keeping ability neither would be in the top 5.