Gilchrist set very high standards: Haddin

MELBOURNE: Set to take over the role of Test wicket-keeper for Australia, Brad Haddin on Thursday praised Adam Gilchrist who announced his retirement during the Adelaide Test.

''He will go down as one of the greats of the game. He's changed the way wicket-keepers are perceived,'' Haddin said. ''He's set the bar so high for wicket-keeper batsmen that if we rest on our laurels and went about things as we had done in the past we'd look pretty silly.''

The 30-year-old from New South Wales credited Gilchrist for unknowingly helping to improve his game.

''Without him even knowing, he's lifted the bar in my game,'' Haddin said. ''He's helped my game go to another level to try and get to the heights Gilly's set.''

He, however, warned against drawing any comparisons between him and Gilchrist.

''It's important, whoever takes Gilly's job, for everyone not to compare them to Gilly,'' he said. ''I think it's important for the guy who comes in to fulfill Adam's role to be themselves and not try and be Adam Gilchrist because there's only going to be one Adam Gilchrist.''

''The way I approach the game won't change. I just hope the selectors, when they come to select the team, my stats stand up to them having a look at me,'' he added. ''My thought process hasn't really changed.''

Gilchrist endorsed Haddin for the Test-keeper's role in his retirement speech saying, ''Brad's shown already that he can handle international cricket as a batsman alone. His glovework is outstanding and he's going to make a real impression in the world stage.''