NEW ZEALAND, AUKLAND — Richard Hadlee, the legendary New Zealand fast bowler, is considered one of the greatest cricketers of all time. The impact he had on the game was undeniable, and he will forever be remembered as a true pioneer of fast bowling.
Hadlee’s career spanned over 17 years, during which he played 86 Test matches and 115 One Day Internationals for New Zealand. His ability to swing the ball both ways at high speeds was a rare talent that set him apart from his peers.
Many international experts and players of his time have spoken about the impact Hadlee had on the game. Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has said that Hadlee was the “best fast bowler of his generation,” and his former New Zealand teammate John Wright has called him “the greatest cricketer New Zealand has ever produced.”
The former England captain Mike Brearley, who faced Hadlee during his career, said that he was “a master of his craft” and that his bowling was “a work of art.” Even the great West Indian batsman Viv Richards, who was known for his ability to dominate any bowling attack, has said that Hadlee was one of the toughest bowlers he ever faced.
Hadlee’s impact on the game of cricket goes beyond his impressive statistics. He was a true ambassador for the sport, and his sportsmanship and professionalism were second to none. He was a true inspiration for many young cricketers around the world and set the bar high for future generations of fast bowlers.
Others opinion
Richard Hadlee was not only a fantastic fast bowler, but he was also a talented all-rounder. His contemporaries, including Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Imran Khan, have spoken about his impact on the game as an all-rounder.
Kapil Dev, the former Indian captain, has spoken highly of Hadlee’s skills as an all-rounder. He once said, “Richard Hadlee was the best all-rounder of our time. He was a complete package, and it was always a challenge to play against him.”
Ian Botham, the legendary English all-rounder, has also praised Hadlee’s abilities. He once said, “Richard was the best fast bowler of our time, and he was also a superb batsman and a brilliant fielder. He was the complete cricketer.”
Imran Khan, the former Pakistan captain, who himself was a great all-rounder, has also spoken about Hadlee’s skills.
All three of these legendary all-rounders recognize Hadlee’s impact on the game as an all-rounder. His skills with both bat and ball were truly remarkable and set a high standard for all-rounder cricketers that followed him.
Wickets
Richard Hadlee is one of the most successful fast bowlers in the history of Test cricket. He took a total of 431 Test wickets at an average of 22.29, which was a remarkable achievement during his era.
Hadlee took ten wickets in a match on nine occasions during his Test career, which is the second-highest number of ten-wicket hauls in Test cricket history, behind only Muttiah Muralitharan’s 22. His first ten-wicket haul came against Pakistan in 1976, and his last came against England in 1990.
In addition to his nine ten-wicket hauls, Hadlee also took 36 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. His best bowling figures in a Test innings were 9 for 52 against Australia in Brisbane in 1985, which is still the best bowling figures by a New Zealand bowler in Test cricket.
Overall, Richard Hadlee’s profile and record in Test cricket is truly remarkable, and his performances with both bat and ball have earned him a place among the all-time greats of the game.
Unforgettable incident
Richard Hadlee had a long and illustrious career, during which he faced many memorable incidents on and off the field.
In that match, England’s Ian Botham produced one of the greatest all-round performances in Test history. He scored a magnificent century in the first innings and then took 6 for 95 with the ball to help England win the match by 3 runs.
Hadlee was on the losing side in that match, but he also played a significant role in the game. He took 6 for 71 in the first innings to help restrict England to 284, and then scored a gritty half-century in the second innings to give New Zealand a chance of winning the match.
Despite his bravery, New Zealand lost the match by just 3 runs.
The incident showed Hadlee’s toughness and resilience as a player and highlighted the risks that fast bowlers faced in an era when helmets were not yet widely used. It remains a memorable incident in the history of Test cricket and a testament to the courage of Sir Richard Hadlee.
The Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Centre is however something New Zeland can owe much to the legendary for the product it brings in the market.