Test retirees welcome the next chapter

Their Test careers only wound up recently but retired Aussie pair Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin aren’t even close to missing the sport just yet.

Speaking with cricket.com.au at today’s launch of the Milo In2Cricket and T20 Blast for the 2015-16 season, both former Test veterans said they were excited about the new chapters of their careers, while Clarke went so far as to say he wouldn’t even be watching the Australians as they start their own new era under Steven Smith in Bangladesh.

“I feel like I'm really happy with the time I've walked away from the game and I'm really grateful for the time I've had in the game,” Clarke said. “But right now some time away from it will do me the world of good and then I'll wait and see.

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“Cricket's in my blood, always has been. I'm pretty sure I'll definitely get my fix from being a part of my academy and watching boys and girls grow there.

“I won't be watching the Bangladesh series – it's extremely unlikely I'll be on the couch.

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Clarke at today's Milo In2Cricket launch // Getty Images

“It's my personality to stay busy and keep doing things and I'm excited about what lies ahead and some business adventures and opportunities I've got.

“So I'll try my best not to watch too much cricket, for a little while anyway. See if I miss it.”

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Haddin, who like Clarke was renowned as a fastidious trainer and worked obsessively to maintain his high wicketkeeping standards throughout an international career that spanned almost 15 years, said he was happy to be giving his worn-out body a breather.

“I’m just enjoying getting back into everyday life,” he said. “I haven’t missed the game at all. I haven’t missed getting up and preparing to be a better cricketer every day, and pushing your body to the limit to get the most out of it.

“I still love the game and I’ll forever be involved in it, but it was a great time to give it away. I think the two biggest smiles here today were from Michael and I, just knowing we’ve had great careers, it’s all over and now we can just sit back and support the Australian cricket team as spectators.

“It’s exciting that it’s all over.”

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Haddin at today's Milo In2Cricket launch // Getty Images

Haddin said he expects the new-look Australians to flourish in Bangladesh under the captaincy of Smith, and prove any doubters wrong as their younger players step up.

“I think they’ll go great,” he said. “We’ve got a really good captain in Steve Smith, and the exciting thing about it is that we’ve got a lot of new faces.

“We pride ourselves on having the best first-class competition in the world, and this is only going to show how much talent Cricket Australia have with these new faces.

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“It’s an exciting time for the game and I’m looking forward to sitting back and watching.”

The 37-year-old isn’t completely finished playing the game of course, as he’ll suit up in magenta for the Sydney Sixers this summer in the KFC Big Bash League.

Without the international schedule to interrupt him, Haddin is set to play a key role for last year’s finalists throughout the duration of the tournament.  

“We’ve had a really successful campaign from the start with the Sixers,” Haddin said of a four-year period that has been highlighted by a BBL|01 championship.

“We’ve got a great group of guys together, we’ve got a really great culture around not only our playing group, but everyone around our back room, and it’s really enjoyable.

“I’ve had a little bit of a taste of it here and there, but I’m really looking forward to this time being involved for the whole season.

“You only have to look at the crowds the Big Bash is producing – it’s been outstanding, so I’m looking forward to having a crack.”