Australia captain Steve Smith has said that Brad Haddin has been a "great mentor" for him during his career after the wicketkeeper announced his retirement from Test cricket.

The 37-year-old has now decided to walk away from the longer form of the game, having retired from one-day internationals following the World Cup earlier this year.

Smith has hailed the support that Haddin gave him as a teammate for New South Wales and the national side.

"He's been a terrific player over a long period of time for Australia, certainly one of the best team men I've ever been around. He always put the team first in every aspect. Hopefully the person coming in and filling that job can do it really well for him," cricket.com.au quotes Smith as saying.

"He's been a great mentor for me. I've learned so much off him, throughout (playing for) NSW. When I started there, he was captain. I learned a lot off him.

"In the Australian set-up as well, he always took me under his wing and helped me develop as a player and as a person. I'm very thankful for that."

Haddin made 66 Test appearances for Australia after making his debut in 2008.