Cricket fans are sending well-wishes to Aussie legend Brad Haddin after he revealed he recently underwent heart surgery. Speaking on the ‘Willow Talk’ podcast this week, the 47-year-old opened up on the situation and ensured fans he’s doing well.
Haddin is a regular member of the popular podcast, but hadn’t made an appearance in a number of weeks. “I went in and got valve replacement surgery of my heart,” Haddin said as he appeared in good spirits despite the ordeal.
“I had about a week in hospital and a couple of days in ICU (intensive care unit). The surgeons and the team at RPA (Royal Prince Alfred in Sydney) were absolutely outstanding. Thanks for all the well-wishes. Things are going to plan.”
Brad Haddin with wife Karina. Image: Getty
Haddin joked that doctors might have got it wrong when deciding when to release him. “They day they discharged me, I don’t think we really got that right,” said Haddin – a big Canberra Raiders fan. “It was the day of the Raiders-Broncos game (in the NRL finals).
“When you’re recovering from heart surgery you’ve got to keep a low profile, and I’ve got six weeks at home now to do not too much, but that didn’t help. But if you look at it the other way, it certainly showed the surgery was a success.”
Haddin’s Raiders went down in golden-point to the Broncos in a thrilling game that wouldn’t have been good for the heart of any Canberra fan, let alone one who recently underwent surgery. Despite being in good spirits and making light of his ordeal, it would have been a huge scare for wife Karina and their three young kids.
Brad Haddin with his wife and kids after retiring in 2015. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Cricket fans send well-wishes to Brad Haddin
Fans have been quick to wish Haddin all the best as he recovers. One person wrote: “Glad to hear he’s doing better.” Another commented: “Wishing Hadds a full and speedy recovery. Sounds like he was in the best possible hands.” While a third added: “Take care, Hadds! Wish you a speedy recovery.”
Haddin is hugely popular around the cricket world, after playing 66 Tests and 126 one-day internationals for Australia. The wicket-keeper scored 3266 runs at Test level at an average of 32.99, with four centuries and a highest score of 169.
Brad Haddin and David Warner during the 2014 Ashes series. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
At ODI level he scored 3122 runs at 31.53 with two centuries. He was a member of the Australian teams that won the ODI World Cup in both 2007 and 2015.
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Since his retirement he’s served as Australia’s fielding coach in 2018, and assistant coach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League in 2019. He was also assistant coach of the Punjab Kings in 2022, and is a regular in the commentary box every Australian summer.