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Australia v South Africa third Test: Cricket legends ‘excited’ for new era to begin

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22:  (L-R) Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb of Australia pose during a portrait session at Adelaide Oval on November 22, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia.  (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: (L-R) Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb of Australia pose during a portrait session at Adelaide Oval on November 22, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Photo: Getty

Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin says cricket fans should be “excited” by the new-look team that will take to the field in the day-night Test against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval.

Australian selectors made drastic changes following the Hobart debacle that saw the Proteas claim an unassailable 2-0 series lead, with batsmen Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson and Matt Renshaw all to make their debuts.

The inclusions, the drama surrounding Faf du Plessis and his ball-tampering charge and the big crowds expected surely make the Adelaide Test the most anticipated ‘dead rubber’ seen in years.

“I am excited. I think there needed to be a line in the sand after Hobart and some changes needed to be made,” Haddin told The New Daily.

“The batsmen coming in are real talents, too. It’ll be great for the public to witness their debuts,” he said.

“I did some work with them in the Australia ‘A’ series [as assistant coach] and I really liked the way Peter Handscomb wanted to put himself under pressure at training.

“He really wanted to train hard, take on the quicks and has very slick footwork to spin.

“He made a great captain’s hundred against South Africa ‘A’ and it was a real innings under pressure that showed his character and temperament.

Haddin described Nic Maddinson as “a guy who can win you games”.

“Don’t look too much at his average – he can be a bit like David Warner in the sense he can take a game away from you.”

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National selector Mark Waugh and ex-Australian captain Allan Border share Haddin’s excitement.

Waugh said on Fox Sports on Tuesday that “the good thing is with these fresh guys, they’re not carrying any mental baggage of the previous five Test matches”.

Border added of Renshaw: “He is a tall lad in the mould of Matty Hayden so he’s quite imposing at the crease.

“He’s a different type of player, though. He’s more of a watchful type, maybe what I’d call an old-fashioned type of batsman in that he’ll at times let the ball go and build an innings slowly but surely.”

Haddin’s great friend, Peter Nevill, was axed for the Adelaide Test after the selectors lost patience with the New South Wales gloveman.

Replacing him is Victorian captain Matthew Wade, whose batting is considered better.

But while Haddin said Wade “deserves his chance”, he is sure Nevill will return to the Test arena again soon.

“It’s disappointing for ‘Nev’ but what I do know is he is a great character, a great gloveman and a great cricketer,” he added.

“I know he will do everything in his power to get back in the side and I don’t think it’s the last time we have seen him in Test cricket.

“I think Peter is a bit unlucky in the circumstances but he’ll be the first to admit he hasn’t contributed as much as he would have liked with the bat.

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Nevill has struggled for runs during his Test career. Photo: Getty

“Matt has matured a lot since the last time we saw him in Test cricket.

“He is a fighter and has captained Victoria to the last two Sheffield Shield titles.

“He can be a good tactical mind for Steve Smith to tap into if he needs and he deserves his chance.

“We haven’t been winning games of cricket and as players you know that in Australia, the fans demand success.”

my-family-s-keeperHaddin, who is promoting his book My Family’s Keeper, said he was very proud of the finished product, which sheds light on the cancer battle suffered by his daughter Mia.

“We thought we had a different story and could do a different cricket book,” he added.

“We were very hesitant to start with but Mia didn’t remember a lot of the trouble that she was in and the fight she showed.

“So it’s a great tool for us to show her when she gets a bit older. And we think our story may be relatable to others, too, in that love trumps all.”

You can buy My Family’s Keeper, published by HarperCollins, by clicking here.

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