Haddin is likely candidate to replace Gilchrist

Adelaide: Brad Haddin is likely to replace Adam Gilchrist as Australia's next wicketkeeper following his announcement that he will retire at the end of the summer.

Australia's selectors will not have to pick a successor until Gilchrist retires in March.

Haddin has been serving as Gilchrist's understudy for nearly seven years and is a wicketkeeper-batsman with a similar approach to the game.

Former Australian wicketkeepers Ian Healy and Steve Rixon said he was the obvious replacement.

"Haddin is the closest in world cricket to being able to emulate Gilchrist," Healy told the Nine Network on Sunday.

Rixon, who has coached Haddin at New South Wales, told the Sun-Herald newspaper the 30-year-old was ready to make the transition to test level.

"The test side will not lose a thing with Brad there, he's still young enough and certainly has the skills and the right attitude," Rixon said.