Famous Cricketers No 79 - Richard Hadlee

Despite the trials and tribulations, the conflicts and controversies and the demands on his time that so nearly led to a complete breakdown, Hadlee, the consummate professional, still continued to produce magnificent performances. In the history of the game his place is assured and Clive Rice in At the Double leaves us in no doubt whatsoever that this great New Zealander was a bowler of the highest class: “He is absolutely brilliant. I rate him alongside Dennis Lillee and that is about the finest tribute you could have. They are the two most skilled bowlers I’ve ever seen, and both had the capacity to be as fast as anyone in the world. The West Indians are consistently faster, but Hadlee and Lillee belong to a different category. They are advanced bowlers.” 1971/72 When elder brother Dayle sliced off part of his big toe using a motor mower, Richard Hadlee was given the opportunity to make his first-class debut against Auckland in the familiar surroundings of Lancaster Park. In an exciting finish, Canterbury won this game by four wickets and Richard, batting at no. 8, hit the winning runs. He also captured four wickets in the match, his first victim being Ross Morgan (32) who had appeared in 20 Tests for New Zealand. In the following game, against Northern Districts, Hadlee took two cheap wickets in the first innings – both top-order batsmen – but, batting at no.9, he was dismissed for his first duck in only his third first-class innings. However, he ended the season for Canterbury in fine style by taking a hat-trick against the Central Districts at Nelson. His first victim was Ken Wadsworth (56), unluckily adjudged lbw, and then he clean-bowled Blair Furlong and John Howell. Canterbury recorded a convincing win by nine wickets but had to settle for third place in the Shield Table. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 1. Canterbury v Auckland, Christchurch, January 3, 4, 5 (Canterbury won by four wickets) c R.E.Redmond b R.W.Morgan 11 266 12 1 57 3 R.W.Morgan b 281 1 R.A.Dykes c B.G.Hadlee H.J.Howarth c B.P.Isherwood not out 5 203-6 8 3 26 1 R.E.Redmond c A.R.Hounsell 186-6d 2. Canterbury v Northern Districts, Christchurch, January 7, 8, 9 (Match drawn) c R.C.Hooton b A.Puna 0 206-8d 9 3 16 2 R.C.Hooton c B.P.Isherwood 106 J.G.Gibson b did not bat - 101-6d 3 0 5 0 197-8 3. Canterbury v Central Districts, Nelson, January 14, 15, 16 (Canterbury won by nine wickets) did not bat - 432-6d 12 0 48 0 247 did not bat - 5-1 11 2 42 4 M.J.F.Shrimpton lbw 189 1 K.J.Wadsworth lbw B.D.M.Furlong b J.H.Howell b SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Plunket Shield 3 3 1 16 11 8.00 - - 2 Bowling O M R W BB Ave 5i 10m Plunket Shield (8b) 55 9 194 10 4-42 19.40 - - 1972/73 (part 1) Hadlee appeared in all five Shield games for Canterbury and took wickets in every match. In the opening game against Otago he returned match figures of 7 for 68 and then he ended the competition by taking 7 for 102 in the game against Central Districts. In between he took 14 wickets in the other 10