Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been named as the head coach of the New South Wales Blues. Cricket NSW confirmed the appointment on Wednesday morning, with Haddin replacing long-serving mentor Greg Shipperd ahead of the 2026/27 season. Shipperd’s tenure concluded a day earlier, following a gripping Sheffield Shield clash between New South Wales and Western Australia at Cricket Central, which ended in a tense draw. 

Brad Haddins, a New South Wales legend, enjoyed a glittering international career, playing 66 Test matches and 126 ODIs for Australia before retiring in 2015. Known for his grit behind the stumps and his aggressive lower-order batting, Haddin was a key figure in several memorable Australian victories. He has immense experience, having served as a fielding coach for the Australia team. He also worked as an assistant coach with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League. 

"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," Brad Haddin said in a statement.

"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 and distinctive style of play we can all be proud of.

"Wearing the baggy blue was incredibly special and gave me some of the greatest memories of my career."

Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon expressed delight over Haddin's appointment. 

"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," Lee Germon said.

"As a player, his outstanding leadership and willingness to always take the game on made him a revered teammate and formidable opponent. These traits have carried through into his coaching career. We are proud to have Brad guiding our Blues squad and look forward to working with him from June," he said.