/ 19 November 2013

Haddin lashes out at former Aussie coach Mickey Arthur

Haddin Lashes Out At Former Aussie Coach Mickey Arthur

Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin on Tuesday said Mickey Arthur's successor, Darren Lehmann, has turned Australia's dressing room and demeanour around ahead of Thursday's first Ashes Test against England at the Gabba.

As England shoot for a fourth straight Ashes triumph, Haddin said South African Arthur has a lot to answer for.

"[Mickey] was very, very insecure and that came across in a lot of our selections and our plays, I think, to be perfectly honest," Haddin told reporters.

"I think [the brand of cricket we want to play] got lost in the period that Mickey had a hold of us. I don't think he understood and was secure enough in himself to get us to where we needed to go.

"Under Darren, we've got a clear message of where we want to go and how we're going to get there. He's able to help guys on the way to get to that point."

Watson controversially sent home
In a shambolic Test tour of India earlier this year, which Australia lost 4-0, Arthur disciplined Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja for failing to submit feedback requested by team management.

They were axed, with Watson controversially sent home.

Haddin went to India as a replacement for injured wicketkeeper Matt Wade and described the mood within the Australian team as uncomfortable and paranoid.

"That wasn't the Australian cricket team that I knew when I flew into Mohali," he said.

"That was a unique situation, which in all seriousness I can't really explain. It was uncomfortable, walking into it. Guys jumping at shadows and the insecurity around everything that was being done.

"It's just refreshing to get back here now and enjoy the game for what it is – a great game that's been great for all of us."

Settlement with Cricket Australia
Arthur, who Lehmann replaced just 16 days before the first Ashes Test in the last series, reached a settlement with Cricket Australia after taking legal action against them when he was dumped with two years still to run on his contract. – AFP