SIR RICHARD HADLEE (NZ)

Introduction

Sir Richard John Hadlee, (born July 3, 1951) is a former New Zealand cricketer. He played club and provincial cricket for Canterbury, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and Tasmania. He is the son of Walter Hadlee, and the brother of Dayle and Barry Hadlee. His former wife Karen also played international cricket for New Zealand. Hadlee was appointed MBE in 1980 and knighted in 1990 for services to cricket. He is currently the chairman of the New Zealand board of selectors. He is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers and all-rounders of all time.

Full name: Richard John Hadlee
Nickname: Paddles
Born: 3 July 1951 (age 57) Christchurch, New Zealand
Height: 6 ft 1 in
Role: All-rounder
Batting style: Left-handed batsman
Bowling style: Right-arm fast

Test debut (cap 127): 2 February 1973 v Pakistan
Last Test: 5 July 1990 v England
ODI debut (cap 6): 11 February 1973 v Pakistan
Last ODI: 25 May 1990 v England

Tests & ODI Matches: 86 &115
Runs scored: 3124 & 1751
Batting average: 27.16 & 21.61
100s/50s: 2/15 & 0/4
Top score: 151* & 79
Wickets: 431 & 158
Bowling average: 22.29 & 21.56
5 wickets in innings: 36 & 5
10 wickets in match: 9 & n/a
Best bowling: 9/52 & 5/25
Catches: 39 & 27

Test Career

Hadlee made his first class debut for Canterbury in 1971/72 and his test match debut in 1973 - on both occasions, his first delivery was dispatched to the boundary. Hadlee was an inconsistent performer at test level for several years; however a breakthrough performance against India in 1976 in which he took 11 wickets in a game resulting in a win by New Zealand cemented his place in the side. In 1978, Hadlee helped New Zealand to a historic first win over England by taking 6 for 26 in England's second innings, bowling the visitors out for 64 chasing a target of 137.

In 1980, New Zealand faced the West Indies in a home test series at a time when the West Indies were developing into a formidable world cricket power. In the first test in Dunedin New Zealand achieved a shock 1-wicket win, thanks in no small part to Hadlee's 11 wickets in the game. In the second test of the series, Hadlee recorded his maiden test century, helping New Zealand draw the test and win the series 1-0. The result was the start of a 12 year unbeaten home record for New Zealand in test match series. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1980 Queen's Birthday Honours.

1985 began a period in which Hadlee developed from a very good fast bowler to a truly great one. In New Zealand's tour to Australia, an outstanding all-round performance helped destroy the home team in the first test at Brisbane, beginning with a personal test best 9 for 52 in Australia's first innings. In a home series against India in 1990, Hadlee become the first bowler in history to take 400 test wickets when he dismissed Sanjay Manjrekar in the second innings of the first test. Shortly after helping New Zealand to another test victory over Australia at Wellington by taking his 100th first class 5 wicket haul in an innings, Hadlee announced that he would be retiring after the upcoming tour to England.

From Richard Hadlee to Sir Richard Hadlee

It was announced that Hadlee was to be knighted for his services to cricket. Hadlee did not have his knighthood conferred on him while still a test cricketer: Though the honour was announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 16 June 1990, it was only conferred on 4 October 1990, some months after his last test match on 10 July 1990.