Famous Cricketers No 79 - Richard Hadlee

1983 - in England and New Zealand in England Hadlee appeared in only a few games for Nottinghamshire during the season as he was engaged for most of the summer representing New Zealand, firstly in the World Cup and then in a four-match Test series against England. However, before going off to play for his country he displayed “magnificent all-round form” ( Wisden ) at Hove as Sussex were well beaten by an innings and 32 runs. On the first day the home side lost three wickets without a run on the board and soon afterwards were reduced to 19 for 8! At one stage Hadlee had captured four wickets for just one run. The New Zealander then put the home side to the sword with the bat, making “a brilliant century, generously sprinkled with boundaries …” ( Wisden ). Sussex struggled once again in the second innings and Hadlee finished the game with match figures of 7 for 56. At the end of the summer he returned to play against Middlesex and made his presence felt once more, taking 5 for 72 in the visitors’ first innings. Despite winning their first Test in England, the New Zealanders disappointed in the Test series but Hadlee was an outstanding success and Wisden , in its review of the tour, stated: “Chosen as Man of the Series, Hadlee always lived up to his reputation and his own high standards. His bowling, off a shortened run-up, was a model for an aspiring fast bowler, full of variation, control and hostility. His 21 wickets were a record for a New Zealand bowler against England, surpassing Tony MacGibbon’s 20 in the five-Test series of 1958.” Preparing for the Test series, Hadlee made 82 in 101 balls against Somerset, hitting eleven fours and staying for 136 minutes, and with Evan Gray (72) put on 156 for the sixth wicket. This is still a 6th-wicket record for the New Zealanders in England, surpassing the previous best of 144 by T.C.Lowry (129) and R.O.Talbot (49) against Essex at Southend in 1931. In a New Zealand total of 544 for 9 declared nine batsmen made scores between 27 and 88 but no one went on to record a century. Then at Bristol he claimed five wickets in the game against Gloucestershire at low cost. Hadlee (6-53) gave New Zealand a great start to the Test series by dismissing England for 209 on the first day. His analysis was the best for New Zealand in any Test in England, surpassing the feat of John Cowie who took 6 for 67 at Old Trafford in 1937. However, this record only lasted until the next Test when Lance Cairns recorded figures of 7 for 74 at Headingley. New Zealand quickly lost their advantage at The Oval, being reduced to 41 for 5 as Bob Willis grabbed four wickets. Hadlee (84) and Jeremy Coney (44) did their best to salvage the position with a stand of 84 for the sixth wicket in only 15 overs, Hadlee taking 16 off an over from Ian Botham. In an innings lasting 136 minutes, he hit one six and twelve fours from 78 balls. However, New Zealand (196) had to concede a first innings lead and went on to suffer a heavy defeat. Once again, Hadlee (68) came to the rescue when the New Zealanders were in trouble against Worcestershire. The touring team were 71 for 7 but Hadlee, facing 115 balls, hit one six and eight fours and with Martin Crowe (65) shared a partnership of 122 for the eighth wicket in 151 minutes to bring about a recovery. Hadlee also seized seven wickets in the match and the tourists won this game by 100 runs. At last New Zealand won a Test in England, winning at Headingley by five wickets on the fourth afternoon, but Hadlee failed to take a wicket in the match! However, he impressed greatly and Wisden records: “Accurate and businesslike off his spry clipped run, he beat the bat innumerable times. His control was exceptional and, generated by a high arm and strong body action, his pace sufficient.” Of course, he still played a crucial role in New Zealand’s success, making a “punishing” ( Wisden ) 75, which included nine fours from 134 balls in an innings lasting 185 minutes. His stand of 86 for the sixth wicket with Bruce Edgar (84) ensured that New Zealand did not lose their advantage. New Zealand lost the last two Tests by wide margins. At Lord’s Hadlee captured eight wickets in the match and in England’s first innings, when he took 5 for 93, Wisden stated: “Hadlee, controlled and hostile off his economical run, often beat the bat …”. At Trent Bridge he claimed his 200th wicket in Test cricket when he dismissed Norman Cowans (0). Thus, Hadlee ended the series by becoming the only New Zealand player to take 20 wickets and score 300 runs in a Test series – a record he still holds to this day. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 185. Nottinghamshire v Somerset, Trent Bridge, April 30, May (1), (2) (Match drawn) c sub b P.H.L.Wilson 1 181-6 44