Brad Haddin takes over as NSW Blues head coach, replacing Greg Shipperd as the team looks to revive its Sheffield Shield success and rebuild its talent pipeline.
Former Australia national cricket team wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been named the new head coach of New South Wales Blues. The appointment comes after Greg Shipperd was removed from the role earlier this year, although he remained in charge until the end of the domestic season.
Haddin enjoyed a distinguished international career, featuring in 66 Tests, 126 ODIs, and 34 T20Is, and also represented New South Wales for over a decade. He is set to officially begin his coaching tenure in June, coinciding with the squad’s pre-season preparations.
“NSW cricket has been an integral part of my life and to rejoin the fold as Blues head coach is a proud moment for myself and my family. Wearing the baggy blue was incredibly special and gave me some of the greatest memories of my career. I am looking forward to working with our current crop of talented players to bring back an aura to NSW cricket and to have a team with a formidable, distinctive style of play we can all be proud of,” said Haddin as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
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New South Wales recently lifted the One-Day Cup title, but their red-ball campaign in the Sheffield Shield ended in disappointment. A draw against Western Australia cricket team in the final round saw them finish fifth in the standings.
The Blues have not won the Sheffield Shield since the 2019–20 season, which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is increasing concern within the system that the state is no longer producing talent at the same rate as it once did, adding further pressure on Haddin’s tenure.
Coaching Overhaul and Future Plans
Haddin brings considerable coaching experience, having worked as an assistant with the Australian national side as well as Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is currently part of the coaching setup at Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.
He is expected to revamp the support staff at NSW, with assistants Ali de Winter and Shawn Bradstreet informed they will not continue in their roles. The decision has drawn criticism from former spinner Steve O’Keefe, who had earlier voiced concerns over how Shipperd was treated.
Despite multiple vacancies in franchise cricket, Haddin will not take up coaching roles with either Sydney Sixers or Sydney Thunder. Shipperd was also removed from his role with the Sixers, while Trevor Bayliss recently stepped down from the Thunder after a disappointing season.
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