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Fielding needs attitude adjustment: Haddin

Australia's new High Performance coach Brad Haddin intent on restoring team's reputation as fearsome fielders in new role

Australia's cricketers have "a long way to go" to get their fielding up to scratch, according to new coach Brad Haddin.

The former wicketkeeper was yesterday named to the Australian men's team's coaching ranks to focus on fielding, replacing Greg Blewett who has taken a role working with the South Australian Cricket Association.

Haddin said Australia's cricketers needed an attitude adjustment when it came to fielding, while he gave his backing to Matthew Wade as the Test team's No.1 wicketkeeper-batsman.

A collection of Haddin classics

"I think in the field we have got a long way to go at the moment," Haddin told the Big Sports Breakfast radio program.

"We used to have a real identity with the likes of Ponting and Symonds. I think that's fallen off a bit and I'm hoping to get us back to those days.

"I think it's an attitude thing. I think fielding really reflects on where your group is going.

"If one guy is not doing their job and there's a weak link it lets down the bowlers.

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"There's no point having four or guys who can bowl at 150kph if we're not creating an uncomfortable environment (for the opposition batters) and taking all our chances.

"I think it all comes back to an attitude thing."

Haddin knows all too well how costly a dropped catch can prove. His drop of England's Joe Root in the opening Test of the 2015 Ashes in Cardiff proved pivotal. That contrasted sharply with the excellent fielding by him– and the Australian team as a whole – during the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash at home.

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"We had a really solid fielding group when we had all the experienced guys in the World Cup year, but in the last couple of years there's been a lot of changes in the player group with some younger guys coming in," Lehmann told cricket.com.au from Darwin.

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"So getting back to the standard that we want when you're representing Australia is important.

"Blewy (Blewett) started that process, now Hadds gets to continue it on and develop his own style."

Lehmann highlighted the importance of Haddin's wicketkeeping credentials as a point of difference to the role given a back-up 'keeper is rarely added to an Australian squad in modern times.

And Haddin said he welcomed the chance to continue to develop Matthew Wade's glovework that has "come a long way".

"I thought Wadey did an outstanding job over in India," said Haddin. "He got some really ordinary wickets to keep on, and I think his keeping has come a long way.

"He's really looking forward to another challenge in Bangladesh, which will be another really hard tour for a keeper.

"(Wicketkeepers) have to be accountable as a batter as well now, it's more picking the best package these days."

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"We got together up in Darwin a couple of days ago and the guys went through all their testing and they were all in really good nick," said Haddin, who was known for his commitment to fitness throughout his time as a player.

"There was a lot of personal bests in there, which shows great commitment from the players after what they've been going through (by being out of contract during the MOU negotiations).

"They're in great nick going into Bangladesh.

"I think (the Bangladesh team) will have the wickets to suit them but after the movements we made in India we'll be well equipped."


Australia in Bangladesh 2017

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade.

Bangladesh squad (preliminary): Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mahmudullah Riyad, Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Haque, Mehedi Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Subhashish Roy, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Rubel Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Sanjamul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mohammad Saifuddin, Anamul Haque, Abul Hasan Raju, Al Amin Hossain, Nasir Hossain, Muktar Ali, Tanbir Haider, Saqlain Sajib, Shafiul Islam.


11-17 August Australia pre-tour training camp, Darwin


18 August Australia arrive


22-23 August Tour match, TBC


27-31 August First Test, Dhaka


4-8 September Second Test, Chittagong