With the first Australia versus New Zealand Test commencing next Thursday, November 5, in Brisbane, I am reminded of the November 1985 Test at the same venue.
It is recalled as the Richard Hadlee Test. He captured 9-52 and 6-71 as New Zealand triumphed by an innings and 41 runs.
In the first innings he could have joined England’s off-spinner Jim Laker as the second bowler to take all 10 wickets in an innings (in the Manchester 1956 Ashes Test) but Hadlee caught Geoff Lawson off debutant off-spinner Vaughan Brown in the deep.
Hadlee had taken the first eight wickets and was on the way to join Laker. But to Sir Richard Hadlee his country came before personal glory.
Famous cricket writer Frank Keating described the Lawson dismissal as the catch of the century. Not so much for the catch itself – though it was eminently droppable – but because, with Dave Gilbert (Test batting average seven) and Bob Holland (three) at numbers 10 and 11, Hadlee’s 10-fer was very much on the cards.
Subsequently, India’s leg-spinner Anil Kumble became the second player to take all 10 wickets in an innings, against Pakistan at Delhi in February 1999.
Thanks to the mesmerising spells by Hadlee and superb centuries by John Reid (108) and Martin Crowe (188) the Kiwis recorded their first victory over the Aussies in Australia at their seventh attempt.
New Zealand skipper Jeremy Coney won the toss and sent the home team in to bat on a pitch which appeared moist. A wise move as Australia lost wickets cheaply on a cloudy humid day. Bad light stopped play on the opening day with the score on 4-146.
The top scorer was South Africa-born Kepler Wessels who defended grimly to score 70 before becoming Hadlee’s fifth victim on the second day. Australia was bundled out for 179, Hadlee becoming Australian destroyer with spellbinding figures of 23.4-4-52-9.
Wessels announced his retirement from Test cricket for Australia after contractual differences with the Australian Cricket Board. He later played 16 Tests for South Africa.
The pitch improved as New Zealand declared at 7-553 at stumps on day three. Reid and Martin Crowe added 224 runs for the third wicket, then a record stand for the Kiwis.
Facing a deficit of 374 runs, Australia again started disastrously and lost 5-67 but was rescued by skipper Allan Border (152 not out) and Greg Matthews (115) adding 197 for the sixth wicket.
But this was not enough as the home team again fell to the pace and swing of man of the match Hadlee who had menacing figures of 28.5-9-71-6. Thus he had taken 15-123, the best Test returns for a New Zealander.
Hadlee went on to his third five-fer in a row in the next Test in Sydney, although Australia won the match by four wickets to level the series.
The Hadlee machine continued to hassle and harass the Aussie bats, capturing 5-65 and 6-90 in the third and final Test in Perth. Thus he had taken five or more wickets in an innings five times out of six.
The tourists were victorious by six wickets to win their first and only series in Australia 2-1.
Hadlee ended up grabbing 33 wickets in three Tests at an awe-inspiring average of 12.15.
How will the current New Zealand team fare in the Test series about to begin next Thursday? They surely would need someone like Hadlee.
On the first day of their match against the Cricket Australia XI at Blacktown, Sydney yesterday, their attack was mauled by the openers. Aaron Finch hit his maiden first-class double century (214 not out with 18 fours and five sixes) and together with Ryan Carters (156 not out with 16 fours) put on 376 runs.
I may add that fast bowler Trent Boult was rested for this match and Tim Southee bowled only three overs.
Oh for a Hadlee, could be their chant.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
From afar. Last time I graced it with my presence it still had the greyhound track. Could have popped onto said track and caught a Greg Chappell lofted drive too but I was too well brought up. Nowadays a 14 year old blunders onto a sporting field illegally and gets rewarded with a medal!
Fox
Roar Guru
Popping down to bless the GABBA wicket are you your Eminence
Fox
Roar Guru
"back when there was REAL variety in Australian pitches," Oh so that was the reason just the Australian pitch not the rest of the world....That's right I forgot test cricket doesn't count outside of Australia except England in the Ashes..
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
For those interested to have a peek at Sir Richard Hadlee tomorrow, here is some information from Cricket Australia: "New Zealand cricket legend Sir Richard Hadlee and Australian Team Assistant Coach Craig McDermott will be available to media at 9am (QT). Media are asked to meet near the player viewing area at the Gabba – enter via gate 6 on Vulture Street where accreditation can be collected. "It is 30 years since the famous Test at the Gabba when New Zealand, inspired by Sir Richard who took match figures of 15-123, defeated the Australian team featuring a young Craig McDermott. Sir Richard will be attending the First Commonwealth Bank Test match starting this Thursday at the Gabba."
Perry Bridge
Guest
back when there was REAL variety in Australian pitches, Perth really quick, Gabba often a green top, the SGC spinning square (turning Border and Bevan into test quality spinners) and the MCG of course was far from G.Chappell's favourite given the sometimes variable to low bounce. One Franklyn Stephenson bowled Tassie to a famous win at the 'G over the Vics when the pitch was playing tricks (Oct/Nov '81 - with 4/27 and 6/19 with the 2nd inns 6 either bwled or LBW) and likewise earlier that year Kapil Dev fired India to a win there in the 3rd and final test in Feb '81 with Australia skittled for 83 inc Ghavri knocking over Chappell first ball. But - the MCG produced some classic games - Aust over the Windies in 81/82 (Hughes 100* in first inns out of 198 a career stand out plus Alderman surviving almost an hour to help him get there), and the 82/83 classic v England. Point being - perfect pitches can be boring.
Frontrow
Guest
The kiwi attack will be fine - Southee bowled 3 overs and the wicket was total road that slowly broke up around the bowling crease...Southee apparently stopped bowling because he thought the wicket was rubbish and the bowling crease dangerous for bowlers - says it all The kiwi no 3 & 4 bowlers have always done their job in the last two years and they will again...
Frontrow
Guest
That deck was garbage and the Kiwis double declared after they complained about it and the powers that be agreed...Never shyte into warm up games
Gav
Guest
Hadlee was just amazing that season. Actually it was the best and most skilful display of swing bowling I have ever seen
Pope Paul VII
Guest
thanks KMJ
ak
Roar Guru
Back in the 70s Aussies used to chant 'Li-llee Li-llee' and kiwis used to give it back by chanting 'Had-lee Had-lee'
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Pope Paul VII, Hadlee scored 99 v. England at Christchurch in 1983-84 and 92 not out v England at Nottingham in 1983. But he will be remembered as the first bowler to take 400 Test wickets.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Thank you dear Roarers for your encouraging comments and valuable additions.
sheek
Roar Guru
Kersi, What an extraordinary cricketer Richard Hadlee was. To be still running into bowl in test cricket in his 39th year (1990) was truly extraordinary. I remember that 1985/86, but not fondly from a cricketing viewpoint. The Aussies were at a low point, while conversely, the Kiwis had one of their best teams. Wright, Edgar, Reid, M.Crowe, J.Crowe, Coney(c), Brown, Hadlee, Smith(k), Bracewell, Chatfield. Plus Cairns, Snedden, Boock.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Thanks Kersi, stirred up some nice memories there! There were some unkind souls who were surprised that Hadlee didn't grass the catch, as he was a man certainly driven by personal milestones. But he was also a consumate professional.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
think he also got 99 against WI.....or England...,or both. A bowling all rounder strictly speaking but he was more than handy.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
In other news, they released the test squad and Burns has the openers spot. Khawaja also. The rest of the squad as expected.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I remember watching this on the telly. Unlucky not to get all ten. He caught the other bloke as well, which was 9th down.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Australian record for 1st wicket I think. Perhaps Aussie All wicket record?
Sideline Comm.
Guest
The kiwis just broke the opening partnership... for 503. Ryan Carters our for 209. McCullum literally bowled everyone in the team except the 'keeper.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I think this was the test when that serial flake Andrew Hilditch was out twice hooking Hadlee down to fine leg? Great article Kersi. Love the old cricket stories.