Sir Richard Hadlee

Sir Richard John Hadlee was born on 3rd July 1951 in New Zealand, and he is one of the greatest pace bowlers and all-rounders in the history of cricket. In addition to this, he also served as chairman of the New Zealand Board of Selectors for a time.

Sir Richard Hadlee is considered to be one of the greatest cricketers New Zealand has ever produced. His control and intelligence made him one of the greatest all-round cricketers of the 1980s. He became the first player to take 400 Test wickets. Having been awarded a knighthood for his contributions to the game in 1990 at the age of 39, Hadlee had cemented his place as one of the world's greatest fast bowlers and lifted New Zealand to unprecedented Test triumphs by the time he retired from international cricket.

Personal Information

Born: 3 July 1951 Nationality: New Zealand
Years Active: (1973–1990) Birth Place: St Albans, New Zealand
Height: 6 ft 1 in Role: All-rounder
Batting Style: Left-Handed Bat Bowling Style: Right-arm Fast
Nickname:Paddles  

Sir Richard’s Journey

Family

Richard Hadlee was born in St Albans to Walter and Lilla Hadlee. His father, Walter Hadlee was also a cricketer, and a former captain of New Zealand. His mother is a homemaker. His older brothers, Barry and Dayle, also played cricket for New Zealand at the 1975 World Cup together. Karen, his ex-wife, also played international cricket for New Zealand.

First Appearance

He began his international career in 1973 with the Test series, and in his first five years, he only claimed 61 wickets, each costing more than 35 runs. Despite this, it was in 1976 against India that he made his first breakthrough, taking 11 wickets in a game that led to the win for New Zealand. Hadlee took 6 for 26 in England's second innings in 1978, as the hosts chased 137 to win their first test match. He bowled the visitors out for 64, helping New Zealand to a historic victory.

Ascend to Glory

In the first five years of his career, Hadlee steadily developed his marvelous career: his bowling improved, his batting was full of attractive strokes, and his fielding at his favourite gully position was brilliant.

In 1979-80, the West Indies played New Zealand in a home test series. At that time, the West Indies was one of the top cricket powers in the world. In the first test in Dunedin, New Zealand won by one wicket, with 11 wickets taken by Hadlee. The second test of the series was won by New Zealand 1–0 as Hadlee scored his maiden test century. This result marked the beginning of New Zealand's 12-year unbeaten home record in test matches. As a result of his implacable performance, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (MBE) at the 1980 Honours of the Queen's Birthday.

Low Point

Richard Hadlee didn't have such a big low point in his professional career, but he gets disturbed a lot in his personal life. Firstly, when his wife wanted a divorce from him, and secondly, when he could no longer play his loving game as a result of injury. The player also said in an interview that he regrets that he wasn't able to play the game for 3-4 more years due to injuries and mental state.

Richard 's Record

  • First player in the history of ODI to score 1,000 runs and take 100 wickets
  • Second fastest five-wicket taker in 25 Tests, the fastest seamer to do so (62 matches), and third fastest when it comes to innings played
  • In Test cricket, he collected 36 five-wicket hauls, and in ODIs, the latter a Test cricket record at the time of his retirement
  • Took ten or more wickets in nine Test matches, with his best match bowling figures being 15/123 against Australia at The Gabba in 1985.
  • Scored two tests match hundreds at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground, including 151 not out in 1987 against Sri Lanka
  • As a fast bowler in the 20th century, he had the best single-innings bowling figures (9/52 in the first innings of the first Test against Australia at The Gabba in 1985).

Retirement

Sir Richard Hadlee retired from cricket on 9 July 1990. In this day's cricket match, he dismissed Devon Malcolm of the England team.

Career Statistics

Test cricket was first dominated by Sir Richard Hadlee, a bowler who took more than 400 wickets. In addition to his ability to swing the ball, he also had devastating speed, making him New Zealand's main strike bowler.

ODI
Matches: 115 Run Scored: 1751
Run Given: 3407
Bowling Average: 21.56 Top Numbers: 5/25
10W/5W: 0/5 Wickets: 158
T20
Matches: 115 Run Scored: 4008
Batting Average: 52.74 Top Score: 122
200/100/50: 0/1/37 Wickets: 4
Test
Matches: 86 Run Scored: 3124
Run Given: 9611
Bowling Average: 22.3 Top Numbers: 15/123
10w/5w: 9/36 Wickets: 431

Image Gallery

Sir Richard Hadlee’s Cricket Glimpses