Brad Haddin wicket-keeping performance in WACA Test the best Adam Gilchrist has seen Brad Haddin celebrates after winning the Ashes. Pic: Will Russell Source: Getty Images ADAM Gilchrist says that Brad Haddin's spectacular wicket-keeping performance in Perth was the best he has seen by an Australian. Ian Healy claimed Haddin was in career-best form and could play on for years. Wicket-keeping greats are singing from the rafters about Australia's unsung hero, who has staged a major recue mission in each Test and is averaging 65 for the series. From the moment Haddin was recalled to be vice-captain of the Ashes tour when his international career appeared over, his performances have been impossible to avoid. His last innings batting in the first Test at Trent Bridge took Australia from nowhere to within a few lusty blows of victory. And despite Australia losing 3-0 Haddin set an all-time record for the most number of dismissals in a series, 29. But there were times of uncertainty. He averaged under 23 with the bat and there was a crucial catch in the fast-fading second Test at Lord's which Haddin simply let sail by as Joe Root, who was single figures, went on to score 180. So when Haddin, 36, threw himself wildly to his right to take a low, blinding catch off Root before anyone else knew what had happened, the extent of his celebrations were understandable as Australia set up victory on the fourth day of the third Test. "I'm just so thrilled for him," Gilchrist said. I can't think of any more impressive, clinical precise wicket-keeping performance for Australia in Test cricket. The great miracle of Haddin's revival is that he is still playing cricket at all. He came home from a tour of the West Indies almost two years ago after learning his baby daughter Mia was seriously ill with cancer and had a year out of the game. But when he began playing again Victorian gloveman Matthew Wade, a decade Haddin's junior, retained the place he had been gifted in the Caribbean. It took a 4-0 drubbing in India earlier this year for the team to be shaken up and Haddin to be included as Michael Clarke's deputy in an Ashes squad crying out for experience in the post Ponting, Hussey era. "The reasons he had to leave the team were very sad and difficult but fortunately things have improved there," Gilchrist said. That enforced lay-off can reinvigorate, reenergise and clarify a few things in a player's mind. Gilchrist was particularly impressed with the way Haddin handled his omission from the team. When that happened, and I think this is a true sign of his quality, I didn't see publicly any negative comment. I didn't see any whinging or griping or anything that was acrimonious towards the selectors or Cricket Australia. It was quite the opposite, saying I understand I will have to be picked by weight of performance. Former Australia opener Phil Jaques says anything that could have gone wrong did go wrong for England as they surrendered the Ashes in just three Tests to Australia. I thought that was a really commendable approach at a time where perhaps some players haven't always reacted so well to decisions by selectors. He's been brilliant. I'm really happy for him and the whole team. Healy has never seen Haddin `keep better. "He's chancing his arm a bit with the bat but enjoying his cricket, that's for sure but still getting the results the team needs," said Healy. He's had a very impressive series so far. Gilchrist, Healy and Rod Marsh all retired at 36 but Healy does not believe Haddin, who has played 52 Tests, will be weighed down by history. He hasn't had a whole lot of cricket. We were up around the 100 Tests at that age," said Healy. He's got a lot of petrol in his tank. He's had that year off and while it certainly would have been stressful he was away from cricket. He's found a wonderful clarity and perspective about how enjoyable cricket should be, not how stressful it can get. He's in good shape to play as long as he wants and certainly a lot older than us.