6 Keepers, 1 Position

If you don't think Australia's State wicket-keepers are serious about what needs to be done to play for Australia, think again!
Brad Haddin has not announced any plans for retirement yet, but one would suspect that the tour of England this winter will be his swansong. Given that to be the case, the race is on to be his heir apparent. Now, while the glovework behind the stumps will no doubt be the major source of interest to the selection panel (especially with Rodney William Marsh as Chairman), a few runs won't hurt a prospects chances.

In this week's Shield games, the following runs have been racked up by the keepers on show:

• Matthew Wade 152 out of Victoria's 1st Innings 260 against Queensland after coming out with the score at 4/31.
• Not to be outdone, Queensland's Chris Hartley then came out with the score at 4/33, and scored 123 in a partnership of 273 with Chris Lynn (250) to get Queensland to 512.
• Peter Nevill (no doubt having noted the two above scores) finished on 235 not out against Tasmania after coming in at 5/66. NSW are declared at 9/576, with Steve O'Keefe making 99a dn Doug Bollinger 41 not out.
• Tim Ludeman made a quite respectable 36 in South Australia's total of 328 in their match against Western Australia.
• Ben Dunk, who now appears to be first choice keeper over former Test gloveman Tim Paine, made 16 in Tasmania's first innings against NSW
• Sam Whiteman is waiting patiently for his turn at the crease, as Western Australia have so far racked up 3/372.

What a an effort by our country's glovemen - which, in almost every instance, has been fortunate for their teams, given the position they were in when they came to the crease. Doesn't say much for our batsmen around the country. Perhaps they'll all get a tour berth to England?