Haddin battered and bruised in Bangalore … and loving it II

"That is one of the beauties of touring India. We're pretty lucky in Australia where we get good, consistent bounce and, don't get me wrong, you'd take that any day of the week, but I think this is a real test of character for a wicketkeeper, to come over here and be successful and learn the trade. It sort of shows where you're at with the gloves. I can honestly say I enjoyed it."

Four games into his Test career, the cricket world is starting to glimpse the distinctive character of the son of a Gundagai publican with the task of filling Adam Gilchrist's gloves.

In 2001 Haddin was called up to the squad as cover for Gilchrist in India, and he has since said he is relieved he did not have to play then as he was unprepared for the intensity of Test cricket.

Seven years on, he can't get enough of it. He played through his maiden series in the West Indies with a broken finger, and in Bangalore refused to be bogged down by Harbhajan Singh and Co when he joined Shane Watson at the crease with Australia in an uncomfortable spot at 5-128 in the second innings.

His partnership with Watson effectively took the game out of India's reach.

He believes his combative nature is innate, rather than a toughness built up playing league as a youth.

"I don't know," he said as he prepared to get behind the stumps in Mohali on Friday. "I'd much rather have those balls rolling onto me than having Willie Mason or someone running at me."