Haddin, 33, said the public reaction to all the Australian players changed from week to week. However, Clarke's rating among large sections of the community, particularly in his home state of New South Wales, has been more consistent. His lack of runs in the series - 148 in eight innings - hasn't helped endear Clarke to the detractors and the lukewarm response adds to the pressure on the country's 43rd Test captain.
"You are one good innings away, or sometimes one good cover drive away, from the support being with you," Haddin said. "Michael is a very strong character so things will be okay. He has got a very good cricket brain and you saw that through the T20 World Cup [when Australia made the final]. He thinks a lot about the game, he is going to do a very good job."
Haddin, who hopes his elevation is temporary, has played 31 Tests since replacing the retired Adam Gilchrist in the middle of 2008. He has leadership experience with New South Wales and gets a close-up view of the game as wicketkeeper. It will be interesting to watch how he juggles his post as one of the team's verbal enforcers with his new responsibilities.
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND 5TH TEST 2011 LIVE VIDEO, STREAMING, ASHES 2011 at Sydney, Jan 3-7, 2011
Teams: Australia v England
Venue: SYDNEY
Date: JAN 03-01-2011
Timing: 10:30 local | 02:30 GMT | 08:00 IST
Live cricket Match ASHES 2011 Link:
Australia squad | |
MJ Clarke*, BJ Haddin†, MA Beer, DE Bollinger, BW Hilfenhaus, PJ Hughes, MEK Hussey, MG Johnson, UT Khawaja, PM Siddle, SPD Smith, SR Watson | |
England squad | |
AJ Strauss*, AN Cook, JM Anderson, IR Bell, TT Bresnan, PD Collingwood, SM Davies†, ST Finn, EJG Morgan, MS Panesar, KP Pietersen, MJ Prior†, GP Swann, CT Tremlett, IJL Trott. | |
- AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND TEST STREAMING TVU Link
- AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND TEST VexCast Link
- AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND TEST VIDEO Sopcast Link
- AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND TEST Flash Link1
- AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND TEST STREAMING Flash Link2
England tour of Australia, 5th Test: Australia v England Highlights
