Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in Nagpur – what next?

Rabbitz,it was always an important game and now it becomes important and meaningful.

Vinay, You may be right that it may have some meaning now. (I guess you are referring to your article) but as it is a WC pool game it really is coming off of a low base, and putting an unrelated trophy up for grabs cheapens not just the game but the tournament. After all shouldn't representing your country at a world cup (in any sport) mean something? Isn't it an issue that a WC game needs further embellishment?

Hi Kersi, Somewhat ironic the Trans-Tasman Trophy was named after the Chappell & Hadlee families. In 1974, Ian Chappell had a running battle with both NZ's best batsmen Glenn Turner & the NZ crowds. Chappelli epitomised the so-called 'ugly' Australian. Then in 1981, his brothers Greg & Trevor involved themselves in the infamous "underarm" furore. Then, as Richard Hadlee developed into a threatening fast bowler, Aussie crowds gave him the back-handed compliment of chanting, "Hadlee's a wanker". Dayle Hadlee, & other brother Barry, who only represented NZ in one-dayers, both managed to escape this cross-creek abuse. Nevertheless, the trophy is aptly named in my humble opinion, after two truly outstanding cricket families.

The trophy is as good as dead. It does not alternate between the countries and if the two countries weren't in the same World Cup Pool it would not have been played. It clearly was an afterthought, a way of increasing interest in another meaningless ODI game. I really hope the knockout stages of this World Cup are good - its just about all ODI cricket has left

If not for the Roar, I wouldnt have known this was the Cappell-Hadlee throhy. Speaks volumes about the PR at Cricket Australia.

I suppose the question for me is - have these guys from CA and NZC backed themselves into a corner ... is this trophy now up for grabs everytime these teams meet no matter where ... if so - what would happen if these 2 make to the final ? an unlikely scenario I know .. but it would devalue a trophy that has, against the odds and fair bit of opposition, actually provided decent entertainment over its short tenure

Bayman, you are correct. Led by Walter Hadlee, the NZ 1949 team drew all 4 Tests. And of 35 first-class matches played, they won 14 (including matches against Derbyshire, Gloucestershir, Hampshire, Lancashire, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex, Worcestershire and South of England), drew 18 and lost only one match, to Oxford Uni by 83 runs. Yes, almost invincible! Barry Hadlee was the eldest son of Walter and the tallest in the clan. He rpresented NZ B team against Australia in 1972 and played in the inaugural World Cup in England in 1975. Against England, NZ fielded three brothers -- Barry, Dayle and Richard. A fourth brother Martin played senior grade cricket but did not progress further. What a family! Not much behind Vic Richardson and grand sons Ian, Greg and Trevor Chappell, all Test cricketers. Thus seven from the Chappell - Hadlee clans played Test cricket. In 307 Tests between the two families, they amassed 17,437 runs with 42 centuries and took 569 wickets and 306 catches.

Agree, it does devalue the trophy. It's a trans-tasman trophy, and should be played where people of those countries can attend? (Or even at least watch live in some cases without having to sign up to pay tv?) All the work in building it up as a regular event by the respective cricket boards, and now treated as an add-on afterthought. Not putting down the India spectators but it is supposed to be a game significant to Australasians. Even in a business sense it also highlights another stuff up by the supposed wise men of CA: Aus/NZ matches are well attended and great revenue for both countries, didn't CA think to cut the recent English [way too long] 1-day series from 7 [ever decreasing crowd] matches down to 3 leaving enough space for 3 trans tasman 1-dayers. (NZ could have made similar adjustments / compressed the tour by Sri Lanka to suit.) I guess they were too busy fiddling with the big bash loose change to notice a prize stallion bolting from the barn.

Kersi,Rabbitz,I actually think this game now has more meaning than before. But I don't think either side expects any charity.

Rabbitz, There was yet another brother, Barry, who I believe was the eldest of the clan. Barry played an ODI (or two?) for New Zealand but did not play Test cricket. All three brothers were the sons of Walter Hadlee who toured England in 1937 and captained New Zealand's famous 1949 team to England. This team went through the tour losing just one match to, of all teams (if memory serves), Oxford University. Almost the "Invincibles".

More on Dayle Hadlee, Rabbitz. I had a long chat with him during the Sydney Test of January 1974 when rain stopped play and eventually saved Australia. He was delighted to have dismissed Ian Chappell. "Call it a coincidence but it was my birthday," he told me. "Ian Chappell was going well and I told myself it would be a fine birthday present for me if I were to dismiss him. And that very ball I got him out!." I still remember the smile of satisfaction on his face, 37 years later. I wonder the two (Dayle and Ian) will remember this incident as they present the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy tomorrow in Nagpur! In a way Dayle was responsible for younger brother Richard's rise to the top. Just before a Plunket Shield match, Dayle's toe was caught in the motor while mowing the lawn. This gave Richard to represent Canterbury. He took a hat-trick in that match and the rest is history.

Thanks Kersi, I can't say that the name rings any bells. At least I have learnt something today, so I am happy.

Rabbitz, Dayle Hadlee is the elder brother of Sir Richard. Dayle played 26 Tests between 1969 and 1977, scoring 530 runs at 14.32 and taking 71 wickets at 33.64. He also played 11 ODIs. He was a fast-medium bowler and often opened the bowling with Richard.

Another meaningless clash in an increasingly meaningless tranche of pool matches. I guess CA and its NZ counterparts had to try and add some interest but why bother as CA is clearly trying to devalue 50 over cricket anyway? By the way, who is Dayle Hadlee?