Brad Haddin silenced the critics with his stunning 169 in the second Test against New Zealand, but there was one man he had already won over.
Former Australian keeper Adam Gilchrist has sung his successor's praises since the hand-over of the gloves - and he admits the "spin-off effect" of Haddin's timely century will do wonders for his game.
"Interestingly, Brad said he feels like he belongs in the Test team as the keeper on the back of scoring a hundred. That is the nature of the game," Gilchrist told News Ltd.
"It was extraordinary when Hadds actually got to his hundred, people were saying it's about time. That's the expectation now on our wicketkeepers. We expect them to get 100 and that has added to it for Hadds.
"He has to trust that his game is going to be up to Test standard and can contribute to the team. There is no doubt in my mind that is the case and will be for a long while."
Gilchrist knows all too well of the pressure facing Haddin to fill his vacant shoes, having faced the same questions when he arrived on the Test scene to replace Ian Healy.
"I remember in my mind consciously saying I don't need to be Ian Healy," Gilchrist explained.
"This ton will definitely have a spin-off effect for sure."
Haddin cracked a finger in Australia's practice match against an Indian XI in October but has continued to fight through the pain barrier rather than take time off to recover and risk losing Test his spot.
Gilchrist says that's the sign of a determined player.
"Brad obviously wants to take on that challenge and not walk away instead of getting it right but not getting straight back in the team," he said.
"Ian Healy played through that pain barrier, too.
"I never had to contend with broken fingers. I had sore fingers but never broke them."
