Melbourne, Dec 21 (IANS): Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin's alarming batting slump must end, Australia's coach Darren Lehmann said Sunday.

The 37-year-old is regarded as the elder statesman of the team and was also considered for captaincy before Steven Smith was chosen to lead the side in place of injured Michael Clarke. He was appointed the vice-captain for the ongoing Test series against India.

He has been identified as one of the key players for the team but approaches Christmas in the midst of a poor run with the bat that has diluted the impact of his sound glovework and cerebral contribution to the side.

"We need Brad to make runs, he knows that," Lehmann was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

"He's been working really hard behind the scenes. He'd be disappointed with a couple of Test matches so far. He does offer a lot behind the scenes, which we really love, and his keeping has been exceptional."

But Lehmann backed the under-pressure keeper to come good, admiring his hunger to return to form.

"But still he's got to make some runs. We can't have our No.7 not making any runs, he knows that. He's working really hard on it, so hopefully he'll get some runs in Melbourne."

Haddin has so far succeeded in scoring only 21 runs from four innings in the two Test against India and has posted a mere 92 runs in his past seven Tests at an average of 8.36.