Haddin wins race to be next NSW Blues coach as assistants sacked mid-match

2 hours ago 2

Former NSW and Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has won the race to replace Greg Shipperd as the Blues’ head coach from next season.

Haddin’s appointment was confirmed by Cricket NSW on Wednesday morning.

Brad Haddin on media duty during a Test against India in November, 2024.

“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,” Haddin said in a statement.

“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.”

Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said: “I am delighted to welcome Brad Haddin back to Cricket NSW to drive our Blues program forward and challenge for further titles. Brad is a highly regarded coach with experience at international and franchise level, plus a deep understanding of the NSW way of playing. This stems not only from his history with the Blues, but also his strong connections to country NSW and Premier Cricket.”

It comes as Cricket NSW sacked Blues assistant coaches Ali de Winter and Shawn Bradstreet during the final day of their Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia in Sydney.

Cricket NSW announced in January it would part ways with Shipperd at the end of the season, despite him having another year left on his contract. The Blues won last week’s One-Day Cup final, with Shipperd still at the helm, in a low-scoring affair against Tasmania in Hobart.

“Decisions to change key personnel are never easy, but we felt it was time to move in a new direction to give the Blues and Sixers the best chance to win titles,” CNSW chief executive Lee Germon said in a statement on January 31.

Haddin, a Blues legend, presented to the Cricket NSW board on Monday evening after weeks of discussions with senior figures inside the organisation.

Greg Shipperd was shown the door by NSW.

The 48-year-old played 66 Tests for Australia between 2008 and 2015. It is unclear whether Haddin will continue his commitments as a media commentator.

In 2018, Haddin pulled out of contention to become Blues head coach, paving the way for Phil Jaques to be appointed.

Former NSW and Australian spinner Stephen O’Keefe, who last month described Shipperd’s axing as “a disgrace”, hit out at CNSW officials for telling De Winter and Bradstreet their services were no longer required while the final day of play was still taking place.

“They’ve had a meeting in the morning, grabbed two of the assistant Blues coaches and said, ‘Your services are no longer required’,” O’Keefe said on SEN on Tuesday night.

“Brad had an amazing playing career, and if he can turn that into a great coaching career, he’s going to be a fantastic coach. There’s some great young coaches involved but to get rid of the likes of Shawn Bradstreet [and] Ali de Winter, who are just great servants of Cricket NSW, and do it in that fashion is absolutely brutal and extremely disappointing.”

Fox Sports reported that Shipperd took the One-Day Cup trophy with him into the Blues sheds on Tuesday on what was his final day at the organisation.

Speaking about his axing earlier this month, Shipperd told Fox Sports News: “It was a two-year contract from my point of view, and it hasn’t been held up. We’re still negotiating around termination packages. I hope that doesn’t get messy.”

The Blues almost pulled off a win for the ages to finish their season on Tuesday, but had to settle for a draw after Western Australia’s Corey Rocchiccioli blocked the final ball with his side nine wickets down and trailing by 133 runs. Cameron Green was named man of the match after making scores of 135 and 25.

Elsewhere, South Australia opener Henry Hunt finished the regular season with 667 runs before the match with their Sheffield Shield final opponents Victoria ended in a draw on Tuesday.

Both captains decided to call it before tea with South Australia declaring at 3-204 in their second innings. No result was possible after rain had washed out 50 overs of play on day three. South Australia made 305 in their first innings to which Victoria responded with 308 at Junction Oval.

The sides will resume hostilities on March 26 at the same venue where South Australia will attempt to win back-to-back Shield titles for the first time in their history.