Famous Cricketers No 79 - Richard Hadlee

SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Test matches 3 3 1 105 72* 52.50 - 1 2 Career 270 377 69 8993 210* 29.19 9 45 159 Bowling O M R W BB Ave 5i 10m Test matches (6b) 157.5 36 387 16 7-116 24.18 1 - Career (6b) 6710.1 1945 } 21350 1145 9-52 18.64 67 10 (8b) 1586.6 231 1986 - New Zealand in England and in England Although Hadlee, once again, performed great deeds for Nottinghamshire, heading both the batting and the bowling averages in first-class matches, the highlight of the summer for him was the Test series against England (he joined the New Zealand team for the Tests and one-day internationals) and as usual he made a big impact in these games. New Zealand had the satisfaction of recording their first series win in England by virtue of their victory at Trent Bridge. In the First Test at Lord’s England appeared to be well placed at 196 for 2 but with Hadlee (6-80) regularly taking wickets, the home side had to settle for a first innings total of 307. However, it was his splendid all-round performance in the Second Test at Trent Bridge that not only decided the rubber but was one of the highlights of Hadlee’s illustrious career. Returning match figures of 10 for 140, he took ten wickets in a Test match for the seventh time, thus equalling the feats of Sydney Barnes, Clarrie Grimmett and Dennis Lillee. In the first innings the New Zealander again recorded figures of 6 for 80, the 27th time in Tests that he had claimed five wickets in an innings, surpassing the previous record held by Ian Botham which Hadlee had equalled in the Lord’s Test. Then on the last day, Hadlee returned with the new ball to dismiss John Emburey (75) and put an end to England’s resistance. Hadlee also rescued his side with the bat. When he came to the wicket on the second day, the match was in the balance with New Zealand 144 for 5. However, Hadlee (68) stayed for 167 minutes, faced 132 balls and hit eight fours and with Evan Gray (50) put on 95 for the sixth wicket. Bad weather came to the aid of the tourists in the Third Test at The Oval where Hadlee (2-92) suffered as Botham (59*) went on the rampage. It did not take Hadlee long to make his presence felt at the start of the season. In his second Championship game against Surrey he made a belligerent 105*, taking just 126 balls for his century, and with John Birch (62) added 112 for the sixth wicket. The New Zealander then displayed fine form with the ball in the matches against local rivals Leicestershire and Derbyshire. His figures of 5 for 41 against the Grace Road side included five of the first seven in the batting order, while at Derby he bowled superbly and returned an analysis of 6 for 31. At Trent Bridge Hadlee (129*) scored his second hundred of the summer and was in “sparkling form” ( Nottinghamshire Year Book ) in the game with Somerset. Hitting 19 fours, he stayed for only 98 minutes and with Birch (79*) put on 206* for the sixth wicket. Match figures of 10 for 72 by Hadlee sent Surrey crashing to defeat by an innings and 7 runs in just two days. In each innings he dismissed both opening batsmen and in the second innings he finished with 6 for 33. There were plenty more wickets for the New Zealander in the game with Warwickshire – nine in fact. At Worcester the batting of Graeme Hick (227*) and a fine all-round display by Hadlee, 76 and six wickets in the game, were the highlights of this encounter. After returning from Test duty, Hadlee showed some more good all-round form in the games against Kent and Essex. At Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire lost early wickets against Terry Alderman but Hadlee, with 88 in 136 minutes, came to the rescue and then made early inroads into Kent’s first innings, taking three of the first four wickets to fall. The New Zealander was also among the runs and wickets in his last Championship match of the summer against Essex. “Seam bowling of the highest class”( Wisden ) by Hadlee (6-51) and Clive Rice (3-18) put Nottinghamshire in command as Essex (139) were dismissed cheaply. The New Zealander then made an “enterprising”( Wisden ) 55* which allowed Rice to declare, but the Trent Bridge side were unable to force a win. Now, for the first time Hadlee’s end of season career batting average in first-class games was over 30 and it remained there for the rest of his career. 60