Warns: “Australia Will Target Them in the Ashes:
Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has taken a strong stand against England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett after the duo’s on-field sledging of Indian all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar during the tense final day of the Manchester Test.
Haddin, known for his combative spirit and sharp cricketing mind, didn’t hold back in calling out the verbal tactics of the English batters and issued a stern warning — suggesting Australia will be watching closely ahead of the next Ashes.
As India fought hard to save the Test match on the final day, Jadeja and Sundar played a crucial role under immense pressure. However, reports revealed that England’s openers Crawley and Duckett tried to rattle them with aggressive sledging and sharp words.
Many former players viewed it as England trying to “get under the skin” of the Indian batters. But Brad Haddin believes the move could come back to haunt them.
“If you’re going to take on someone like Jadeja with words, you better be prepared to back it up,” said Haddin on Fox Cricket. “He’s the last guy you want to fire up.”
Haddin then turned his focus toward the future, making it clear that any such behavior won’t go unnoticed by the Aussies.
“Australia will definitely have a look at Duckett and Crawley. If that’s how they react under pressure, they’re opening themselves up for real heat when the Ashes come around. You’ve just given our boys a target,” he added.
While some fans supported England’s aggressive approach, others — including Haddin — felt it was poorly timed. Jadeja, known for his cool under pressure, and Sundar, calm but resilient, were hardly the right players to provoke.
Now, with Haddin publicly calling out Duckett and Crawley, the stage is being set for even more fire in the upcoming Ashes. Test cricket is as much about mind games as it is about skill — and Australia has always excelled at both.
Brad Haddin’s warning serves as a reminder: every action on the field is remembered — especially in the world of high-stakes Test cricket. As the countdown to the next Ashes begins, the verbal volleys may have already started.
