Profile: Richard Hadlee

Sir Richard Hadlee is New Zealand's greatest cricketer. That is a signal honour that can't be conferred on any single cricketer from most other countries, but there is little doubt when it comes to New Zealand.

More than any other individual, Hadlee did the most to unify New Zealand into a formidable unit in the seventies and eighties after they proved to be easy fodder for opposing teams for four decades before that. He scripted most of the notable triumphs of his time, including historic victories over Australia, England, West Indies, India and Pakistan.

Hadlee fitted in admirably with the three other great all rounders of his time Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Imran Khan, and particularly with the ball, he proved that what they could do, he could do better.

He was a genuine all-rounder, but it is his bowling feats that are of the eye-rubbing and mind-boggling variety.

The first to take 400 wickets in Tests, Hadlee finished with 431 wickets from just 86 Tests at an average of a little over 22 apiece - the record tally when he retired. The 36 five-wicket hauls and the nine ten-wicket hauls also constituted a record. The master player was always proud of the fact that the Cinderella country of cricket had achieved so much abroad during his playing years, while retaining its nearly unbeaten home record.

Hadlee did not achieve stardom overnight.

In fact, in his own words from 1973 to 1976, he was "erratic, inconsistent and without a great idea of how to get through three days, let alone four or five."

Then, in the period from 1977 to 1980, according to Glenn Turner he "came of age". And in his final decade, he swiftly raced to his record number of wickets by summoning every ounce of experience and guile.

Simply put, Hadlee, with his superb control of pace, swing and cut, was one of the great bowlers of any era of any nationality.

Wiry rather than muscular in build and six feet tall, his model right-arm, side-on action engendered speed, lift and late outswing.

He was one of five sons of former New Zealand captain Walter Hadlee and for a time formed an effective opening partnership with his elder brother Dayle.

By the early 80s, Hadlee was remarkably consistent in all conditions and astonishingly reserved his most devastating performances against Australia, capping it with a phenomenal display in 1985-86, when in a three-match series, he took 33 wickets at just over 12 apiece including nine for 52 and six for 71 while shaping an innings victory at Brisbane. As Christopher Martin-Jenkins wrote: "Like a woodpecker attacking the bark of a tree he jabbed away at the weak points of the batsmen. He would slice open the protective skin of an opposing batsman like an expert surgeon."

The emphasis on Hadlee's greater bowling skills sometimes clouds the fact that he also scored over 3000 runs in Tests with two hundreds and 15 half centuries at an average of just over 27. A hard-hitting left-handed batsman, he had a highest score of 151 not out against Sri Lanka. He played many match-winning innings, but his bowling remained his special talent, one which by hard work, supreme dedication and rare intuition, he polished and perfected.

Of course, as only to be expected, Hadlee with his ubiquitous skills was a tower of strength for New Zealand in limited-overs cricket, steering them to the World Cup semifinals in 1975 and 1979 as also the penultimate round of the World Championship of Cricket in Australia in 1985.

He also brought Nottinghamshire great success in the 80s with a series of thrilling all-round exploits, playing a leading role in their triumph in 1981 - their first county title in 52 years.

Hadlee finished with 745 runs (average 32.39) and 105 wickets at just under 15 apiece. He surpassed this three years later when he achieved the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets - the first double in an English season since 1967. He benefited much from his county stints, which made him a total professional who set himself stiff targets.

Image: As good as it gets! Hadlee launches a vociferous appeal in 1990.

Text: Partab Ramchand | Getty Images (Any unauthorised reproduction is prohibited)


Profile: Graeme Pollock