Haddin picks trio of potential debutants

Brad Haddin has backed calls for youth despite admitting the list of batsmen banging down the door for Australian Test selection is short.

The former Test wicketkeeper also believes the manner in which the Sheffield Shield has been used has played a role in the national team's decline from world No.1 in February to five-straight losses.

Quick Single: How to find the next Steve Waugh: Border

With as many as four Test batting spots up for grabs following the latest batting capitulation to South Africa in Hobart on Tuesday, Haddin "100 per cent" believes changes are necessary.

He has backed batsmen Peter Handscomb (25 years old), Kurtis Patterson and Cameron Bancroft (both 23) for Test selection.

Haddin has been working with Cricket Australia in a coaching capacity and saw first-hand the talents of all three of those batsmen during Australia A's winter series in Queensland. 

Quick Single: Wade backs Vics gun for Test call-up

"We need some guys that have got some character in there that are willing to give Steve Smith that fight on those tough days," Haddin told Sky Sports Radio.

"I think we need to put a bit of a line in the sand and maybe go for some young guys – the likes of a Bancroft, a Handscomb, a Kurtis Patterson – guys like this to mould them in the way Steve Smith wants to play games."

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell was among those opposed to selectors' tendency to debut older players, with batsmen Adam Voges and Callum Ferguson both receiving their Baggy Greens over 30.

With few youngsters establishing themselves as ready-made Test players, 66-Test veteran Haddin identified Victorian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (28) as another middle-order batting option.

"No-one's jumping out of the pack in state cricket to demand a spot," Haddin said. "I think Matthew Wade would actually be a good fit at No.6. He's got that fight about him.

"You can't question his character in the change room."

Quick Single: Healy outlines keys to long-term success

Haddin also took issue with "too much experimenting" in the Sheffield Shield, namely the introduction of pink and Duke balls and the decision to pull star Australian pacemen Mitchell Starc out halfway through a match for NSW.

"Our Sheffield Shield wasn't broken," Haddin said. "We were producing tough Australian cricketers and it was the best first-class competition in the world.

"I see no reason to experiment with that."

International cricket is more affordable than ever this summer, with adult tickets from $30, kids from $10 and family packages from $65 across every day of international cricket. Price for purchase at match. Transaction fee from $6.95 applies to online and other purchases. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.