Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy does not believe current Test gloveman Brad Haddin is in the immediate firing line for the Test axe.
But Healy says the likes of Matthew Wade, Luke Ronchi and Chris Hartley should maintain their intensity because an opportunity might not be far away.
With Tasmanian Tim Paine sidelined for at least the next four months due to further complications with his badly damaged finger, Victoria wicketkeeper Wade is seen as the next man in line should Haddin be moved on or suffer an injury.
Healy says Western Australian Ronchi and Queenslander Hartley have done enough to also be in the mix and should stay on their toes.
But for the time being, the position behind the stumps is Haddin's to lose.
"I don't think he's under that much pressure, just the normal amount of pressure for a senior player to get this young side up and then performing a little better in different scenarios," Healy said.
"But there should be a whole lot of inspired wicketkeepers at the moment because they know how close they are to one injury of playing for Australia.
"(Wade is playing well) and Luke Ronchi made a 100 the other day and Chris Hartley shouldn't be skipped over either.
"Matty seems to be the anointed one to take over from Paine (as the next in line), but all the keepers are performing pretty well from all reports, statistically anyway."
Healy says he sympathises with Paine, who could be forced to endure the agonising scenario of watching another up-and-comer take the position in the Australian team that he would likely have assumed if fit.
Healy rose to the Australian wicketkeeping role in 1988, having been at the understudy to Peter Anderson at Queensland.
"He needs Brad Haddin to be very durable and not give up his spot at all until he's well and truly back on his feet otherwise someone can get a spot and take it with both hands," he said.
"It's been a nightmare for him and the surgeons by the sounds of it ... being so high on the index finger it's been impossible for him to keep or bat properly."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, australia First posted December 15, 2011 18:52:41
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