Adam Gilchrist: I'll never write Brad Haddin off

Brad Haddin has been backed to come good with the bat in the next couple of matches 

Former Australian keeper-batsman, Adam Gilchrist has come out in support of misfiring Brad Haddin, claiming that the New South Wales man can never be 'written off'. Haddin,37, has had an extended run of bad form and has aggregated only 21 runs in the first two Test matches of the series against India.

"I wouldn't ever write Hadds(Haddin) off. He's such a tough character and it's quite exceptional he's even in the team, given the personal circumstances he's been through," Gilchrist was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. Haddin took time off from cricket in early 2013 to tend to his younger daughter, Mia, who was battling cancer. He later returned with gutsy lower-order batting performances to help Australia rout England in the home Ashes series, last year.

"He's keeping almost to perfection at the moment, yet it seems to still not be acceptable he's not making runs. I would back him to make some runs and when he does that, it will be up to him when he finishes," Gilchrist said. Haddin equalled Australia's record of six dismissals in one Test innings in Brisbane.

"It's a really nice time in your career. He's vice-captain and was almost captain (this summer). With that comfort comes the ability to do your job and keep improving. He's now maintaining a better standard (of keeping) than anyone has, for many, many years. This Test series, he has just been outstanding. With that I'm sure the runs will come and he'll be able to forge on for a while yet," Gilchrist opined.

Meanwhile, Haddin also found support from regular skipper, Michael Clarke, who wrote in his column for the Daily Telegraph that he expected the gloveman to be part of the 2015 Ashes. "Haddsmightn'thave made a big impression in the runs column over the past couple of Tests but he has been flawless with the gloves, taking nine catches at the Gabba and three catches and a stumping in Adelaide. And, lets not forget his contributions with the bat last summer. The Ashes series might have played out quite differently without his valuable runs down the order," Clarke wrote.

Despite his barren run of form, Haddin remained positive about his game."I don't feel in bad touch, I just need to get some runs. Sometimes it's about getting that luck at the start of your innings. If you get through that first bit, then you start to get into the rhythm of the game," he opined.

The third Test of the four-match series gets underway in Melbourne on Boxing Day, with the hosts leading the series 2-0.