Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has said that despite being back in the pursuit of the Ashes, he is viewing cricket in a new light following his daughter's battle with cancer.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, although the Ashes journey is the greatest adventure for an Australian cricketer and normally fills his mind for most of the time, however, Haddin had even considered retirement after his two-year old daughter Mia's cancer diagnosis, and the resulting heartache that followed over the past 12 months.
According to the report, Haddin's anticipation of any cricket tour, even the Ashes, was cancelled out for a long time by the anxiety and anguish brought on by Mia's illness, although his family is finally seeing light at the end of the dark tunnel of worry after Mia has been allowed back into her home following the completion of her treatment.
Stating that his family ordeal has made him view the sport and his place in it differently, Haddin said that he is comfortable with the position of today's game where being an international player has lost some of its sheen, adding that the support of his family, especially his wife, had helped him put things into their proper perspective.
As Haddin departs to lead an Australia A squad in three matches before the main event of the English summer, he, however, said that would not have gone anywhere and may have even left the game altogether if circumstances did not turn for the better, adding that he is lucky to get a second chance back in the game to keep on challenging himself to be a better cricketer.
The report said that although Haddin will retain his fierce competitive streak which may be an important asset for a young Australian team, the events of the past year had conspired to drum home the priorities in his life irrevocably, as along with his daughter's illness, Haddin had also lost his place as the keeper to Matthew Wade after a rushed return from the Caribbean tour.
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Haddin, who was handed back the job following Wade's struggles in India and also got himself a vice-captain post after Shane Watson stepped down, is of the opinion that selectors probably want some experience, normality, toughness and consistency in the squad for which they have recalled him to England.
Haddin, however, is confident that things will turn for the better now in his personal life, saying that he is now going to focus on winning the Ashes campaign this year.
