Haddin warns against Gilchrist comparison

	Brad Haddin: 'I think it's very important for the guy who comes in and fills Adam's role to be themselves and not try to be Adam Gilchrist' © Getty Images

Brad Haddin has asked people not to compare him to Adam Gilchrist when he takes over full-time as Australia's wicketkeeper once Gilchrist retires following the CB Series. Haddin, who was named in the one-day squad to face India and Sri Lanka, is expected to slot straight into the Test side after serving his apprenticeship as Gilchrist's No. 2 for seven years.

Haddin boasts a strong first-class average of 41, but is aware that Gilchrist's final Test figure of 47.60 has put him in a category that nobody is likely to match. "It's important that whoever takes Gilly's job, for everyone not to compare them to Gilly, which is going to be tough," Haddin told AAP.

"He will go down as one of the greats of the game, he's changed the way wicketkeepers are perceived. I think it's very important for the guy who comes in and fills Adam's role to be themselves and not try to be Adam Gilchrist, because at the end of the day there's only ever going to be one Adam Gilchrist."

In the short-term Haddin is looking forward to being part of the one-day squad which will tour the country and hopes to watch Gilchrist produce a few final flourishes. "I think I'm going to be like the Australian public and everyone else and just going to sit back and enjoy the ride for the next month, because I'll be very surprised if there's not a couple of special innings' in Adam," he said.

When the time does come to finally pull on the baggy-green - in Pakistan if the tour takes place during March - Haddin promises not to change the way he plays. "From my point of view things haven't really changed that much, only now that there's a position open," he said. "The way I approach the game, things won't change now, I just hope the selectors at the time when they come to select the team, my stats stand up to them having a look at me."

Although Haddin's progression to the Test arena is seen as a certainty he is aware that he is one of a clutch of promising wicketkeeper-batsmen in the country. Western Australia's Luke Ronchi and Victoria's Matthew Wade have also caught the eye and Haddin knows he will have to be on his toes. "The only thing that's changed now is that there is a position open," he said, "so there's probably six very excited wicketkeepers around the country."