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Haddin's keeping reign set to end

Proteas T20 series will feature new gloveman

Brad Haddin’s monopoly as Australia’s wicketkeeper in all formats will come to an end when Australia hosts South Africa in three KFC T20 internationals this summer.

Only one day separates the conclusion of Australia’s second and final Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and the first T20 against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval, forcing the National Selection Panel to pick a new gloveman for the three-match T20 series starting on November 4.

Haddin will return for the five-match Carlton Mid ODI series that immediately follows the T20 fixtures, starting with two matches in Perth on November 14.

Fortunately for chairman Rod Marsh and the NSP there is no shortage of in-form keepers around the country, with experienced pair Matthew Wade and Tim Paine considered the early favourites to fill Haddin’s gloves.

Wade last played for Australia in a T20 in February this year,  while Paine’s last outing in the green and gold was a one-day international against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2011 before a horrific finger injury derailed his promising career.

The pair’s experience at the highest level is believed to have them just ahead of NSW Blues keeper Peter Nevill and Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors young gun Sam Whiteman.

But so far this season Wade has struggled with the bat, scoring 41 runs in five matches, notwithstanding his brilliant efforts behind the stumps, and Paine's two games have produced knocks of 0 and 24.

Meanwhile, Nevill has made a stellar start to the cricket summer, averaging 47.50 with two half-centuries and 10 catches in the Matador One-Day Cup as the Blues lead the competition after 11 matches.

And Whiteman has gone from strength to strength in the winter, scoring his maiden first-class hundred for Australia A against India A in Brisbane before putting his keeping skills to the test in the sub-continent with the Perth Scorchers in the Oppo Champions League Twenty20 tournament.

But if Haddin was to be ruled out tomorrow, former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy says Nevill and Whiteman are right in the mix.

“The two they are talking about are Nevill and Whiteman and if Haddin gets injured and goes down right now in a Test, it might be Nevill,’’ Healy told News Limited.

“He is the experienced, secure bet. But before long it might be Whiteman.

“In the shorter form I am not sure. Maybe Whiteman could sneak his way in there. I would imagine if Tim Paine - really got his form going - immediately he could shoot right up there.’’