Haddin must be pushed up in batting line-up: Rixon

Former Australian wicket-keeper Steve Rixon feels Brad Haddin should be promoted up the batting line-up to provide the right-hander ample opportunity to showcase his pyrotechnics.

With Australia continuing to experiment with their opening position, Rixon has urged the national selectors to push Haddin up the order and not to waste him at the number seven slot.

"Unless the selectors are seeing something I'm not seeing, I'd hate to see Brad continue to be pushed down the order. Brad is one of the world's best strikers of the ball and the guy most teams always want to get out," he said.

"He would be perfect during these power plays because in a situation like that he's the kind of guy who can score quick runs."

Rixon, who was coach of the New Zealand cricket team from 1996 to 1999, was of the view that Haddin too can shine up the order like his predecessor Adam Gilchrist.

"Just because Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) was successful opening doesn't mean another keeper can't be," he was quoted as saying by Daily Telegraph.

Haddin, 31, has been run out in both the one-dayers in Melbourne and Hobart after scoring a rapid-fire 19 off 12 balls and 23 off 26 balls.

Rixon, who played 13 Tests for Australia, said Haddin continued to impress behind the stumps and his wealth of experience on the domestic circuit has made one one of the side's senior players.