Former Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin wants to do what Merv Hughes did for him in his junior days after formalising a high-performance consultant's role with Cricket ACT on Thursday.
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The Queanbeyan-raised wicketkeeper topped off the day by becoming the first ACT Comets player to score three consecutive hundreds in the team's Futures League clash against South Australia at Manuka Oval.
But he has one eye on developing the talent in the capital.
"My role is to teach those guys [ACT Comets] about the importance of preparation and understanding a bit of accountability in getting better," Haddin said.
Haddin scored more than 3000 Test runs in his 66 matches for Australia, and he wants to impart his knowledge to the next generation of local players.
For Cricket ACT, Haddin's role continues its focus to develop a talent pathway towards first class and international cricket, which will also include an improved Phillip Oval.
High-performance general manager Aiden Blizzard said the gap from first-class cricket to Futures League is too great and the association is aiming to bridge this gap and produce Australian cricketers.
He said the import of Brad Haddin back home would complement and fast-track the development of talented players.
Haddin's hometown honours continued over weekend when Town Park Oval in Queanbeyan was renamed Brad Haddin Oval.
"I've done a lot of wonderful things in my career, played at some wonderful venues and been involved in some extraordinary series, but for Queanbeyan to name an oval after me is very touching," Haddin said.
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council administrator Tim Overall said he was pleased Haddin would join the likes of Heather McKay, David Campese and Neil Bulger in having Queanbeyan sports facilities named in their honour.
“Brad Haddin is one of Queanbeyan’s finest sporting heroes,” Mr Overall said.
“This is a fitting honour for Brad who played junior cricket in Queanbeyan for a number of years before becoming one of Australia’s most successful wicketkeeper-batsmen.”