Clarke impressed by Haddin
Michael Clarke believes Brad Haddin has regained his top form with the bat as the wicketkeeper looks to force his way back into the Test line-up this winter.
Haddin, who turns 35 next month, returned home from the tour of the Caribbean in April after his young daughter Mia was diagnosed with cancer.
Victorian Matthew Wade seized his opportunity with a century in the third Test against the West Indies and is the incumbent Test gloveman ahead of November's three-match series against South Africa.
However, Haddin has made himself available for Test selection and sent a timely message to the selectors in NSW's draw against Tasmania at Bankstown Oval.
He struck a chanceless 114 on day one and was impressive with the gloves throughout against the Tigers.
"He's certainly available for NSW and Australia. He played really well this game. I thought his batting was outstanding," Clarke said of Haddin.
"He'd been hitting the ball well in the nets but hadn't made a big score so far this year so it was nice to see him spend some time in the middle.
"And he looks like he's back batting at his best and I'm sure he's got ambitions to push for selection back in the Australian team.
"But like I've said before to everybody in first-class cricket, it's about consistent performance and putting pressure on the guys that are already there and making sure you're in the front of the selectors' minds."
"Most of all I think it's very nice for Hadds to make a score like that for himself.
"He's been working really hard. He's missed a fair bit of cricket of late so it's a little reward for the hard work he's been putting in and in his own mind I guess it reconfirms that he's certainly still batting good enough to be successful in first-class cricket and to play at the highest level."
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