Sir Richard Hadlee – First bowler to capture 400 test wickets

Sir Richard Hadlee – First bowler to capture 400 test wickets

Sir Richard Hadlee was the first bowler in the history of test cricket to take more than 400 test wickets. His ability to swing the ball, as well as devastating speed, made him New Zealand’s main strike bowler, and in just 25 tests he took 100 wickets. He was also a left-hand middle-order batsman, scoring more than 3000 runs.

Early life

Richard Hadlee was born on 3 July 1951, in St Albans to Walter and Lilla Hadlee. His older brothers, Barry and Dayle, also represented New Zealand cricket — the brothers played together at the World Cup in 1975. Hadlee has said he was inspired by Canterbury bowler Dick Motz.

Career

Nicknamed ‘Paddles’, for his large feet, Hadlee’s cricketing career was built during the 1970s when, largely due to his bowling skill, New Zealand gained major wins against India (1976), Australia (1977) and England (1978). His best bowling figures were 9 for 52 against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia in 1985-86. At the end of his career he had taken 431 test wickets.

Honours

Knighted in 1990 for his services to cricket, Hadlee retired the same year, aged 39. He has been Bank of New Zealand cricket ambassador (1990-2008) and selector for New Zealand Cricket (2000-2008). In 2009 Sir Richard was inducted into the ICC World Cricket Hall of Fame.