Sir Richard John Hadlee, born on third July 1951, in St Albans, New Zealand, is a former New Zealand All-Rounder. Hadlee is viewed as one of the greatest pace bowlers of all time and New Zealand’s greatest cricketer.
His career had numerous highlights and at times, he was a one-man army, carrying the hopes of the Blackcaps all by himself.
Paddles, as he is affectionately known as, comes from the Hadlee family that have had generations of cricketers represent New Zealand in cricket.
In my opinion, though, Richard Hadlee at times doesn’t get enough of a mention when people in the cricket fraternity when there is the talk of the greatest fast bowlers.
There is an acknowledgment of his greatness but he doesn’t get the same mention as the other great fast bowlers of the 80s and 90s.
Statistics even show how great of a bowler he was. Out of the four great all-rounders, i.e., Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Ian Botham and Hadlee himself, of the 70s–early 90s era, statistically and overall, Richard Hadlee is the greatest bowler out of all of the four all-rounders.
Sir Richard had to carry a team that only won 22 Tests out of the 86 Tests that he played. In order to foster an understanding of how good Richard Hadlee was, one would have to dissect his career statistics and Hadlee is a man who is very keen on statistics.
Overall, Hadlee’s bowling stats read: 86 Tests, 431 wickets at an average of 22.29 including 36 5fers, nine ten-wicket hauls with best figures of 9/52 against Australia at the Gabba, back in 1985.
Also, his strike rate was 50.48 and his economy rate was 2.63.
Not only was Sir Hadlee a strike bowler but he managed to keep one end tight with such a good economy rate. He has the third most 5fers in Test matches in Test history and the second most ten wicket hauls in Test history.
Also, out of the 36 5fers, Hadlee has taken, 17 of them have come in games New Zealand won. Out of the nine ten wicket hauls he took, eight of them have come in games New Zealand won.
Richard Hadlee of New Zealand traps an Indian batsman for another wicket in the Second Test match in Bombay, India. Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty /Allsport
In addition, he averaged under 29 against every Test-playing nation. His home-and-away record is phenomenal.
The striking feature of his home/away record is that his away record is better than his home record.
He played 41 Tests, averaging 22.96, picking up 201 wickets, with 15 5fers, three ten wicket-hauls, all at a strike rate of 53.05.
In contrast, his away statistics read, 43 Tests, 230 wickets, 21 5fers, six ten wicket hauls at an average of 21.72 and a strike rate of 48.93. Those stats are mind-boggling and when one further dissects these stats, they would get a better understanding of how great he was.
Every great career has a challenging period, and Hadlee experienced it right at the beginning of his career.
From his debut against Pakistan in 1973 until 1977, Hadlee’s bowling statistics were quite disappointing. He played 17 Tests, picked up 61 wickets, averaged 35.57 and got two 5fers and one ten wicket hauls at a strike rate of 61.2.
From thereafter, he peaked and became one of the worlds best bowlers, eventually reaching legendary status by the end of his spectacular career.
At his peak, i.e., 1978-88, he picked up 330 wickets, in 60 Tests at an average of 19.57, with 32 5fers and eight ten wicket hauls at a strike rate of 48.4.
He is only behind Imran Khan during the 1978-88 period. Nevertheless, the statistics are just amazing.
From 1989 onwards, he played nine Tests, picked up 40 wickets, averaged 24.52 and got two 5fers, at a strike rate of 54.4. Three full seasons in Nottinghamshire in County Cricket helped him.
In Nottinghamshire, he averaged under 15 in all three full seasons he played and picked up 105 (1981), 117 (1984) and 97 (1987) wickets in each of the respective seasons that he played. People would be wondering what sparked the change in Hadlee’s performance from 1978 onwards.
Well, when he started, he was a tearaway pace bowler and then he decided to cut down his run-up.
Hadlee also lost a yard of pace, and these changes along with being mentally tougher transpired into him becoming a wicket-taking machine as well as a legendary fast bowler.
Another striking feature of Hadlee’s bowling was his contribution to the team in victories. percentage-wise, he is on par with legendary Sri Lankan spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan as Richard claimed 40.80 per cent (173/424) of the team’s wickets in the 22 victories he was a part of during his career.
Muralitharan and Hadlee are the only bowlers in the last 40 years of cricket who have had contributed that much to the team’s wickets in victorious causes.
Furthermore, Hadlee has the best bowling average in Test wins. In 22 New Zealand Test victories during his career, he picked up 173 wickets at an astonishing average of 13.06, with 17 5 for, eight ten wicket hauls all at a strike rate of 33.5.
Asia is considered to be the toughest place to bowl for fast bowlers. The conditions in Asia, in most cases, tend to assist spin bowlers more than fast bowlers and numerous grounds in Asia have been referred to as ‘bowling graveyards’ for fast bowlers.
Hadlee is one fast bowler who has succeeded in Asian conditions. From 13 Tests in Asia, Hadlee averages 21.58, has 68 wickets, five 5fers, and two ten-wicket hauls at a strike rate of 42.7. One particular ten wicket haul resulted in New Zealand pulling off a miraculous victory against India in Mumbai back in 1989.
Some of his Hadlee’s greatest performances have resulted in some famous Test victories for the Blackcaps.
New Zealand won a Test series in Australia in 1985 on the back of Hadlee’s phenomenal bowling effort which comprising 33 wickets at an average of 12.15, which until this day, is unrivalled in a three-Test series.
Sir Richard Hadlee, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador explains to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge how to bowl (Photo by Joseph Johnson/Getty Images for ICC Cricket World Cup)
He helped the Blackcaps pull off a series draw in India, a home/away series victory against England and Australia as well as the solo Test series victory against the almighty West Indies during West Indies 15-year reign of dominance on Test cricket.
So judging off the basis of all the stats and facts that have been provided in the article, it would be safe to say that Sir Richard ‘Paddles’ Hadlee would rank in my top three fast bowlers of all time.
Not only that but the fact that he doesn’t get much of a mention as another legendary fast bowler from the 70s, 80s early 90s.
He is a genius and an underrated one at that. If I were to select a great Test pace bowling attack, I would 100 per cent have the great Sir Richard Hadlee in it, not just because he is from my native of New Zealand, but his stats are just too difficult to ignore.
Richard Hadlee is an underrated genius who at times, single-handedly won games for New Zealand. Sir Richard Hadlee, is an all-time great and doesn’t get enough mentions when there comes a discussion about the greatest Test pace bowlers of all-time.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Neel Interesting questions. I'm fascinated by left handed players because the REALLY good ones, when in full flight, make the game look completely effortless. I go back to the Sobers era and the 254 he made in a Rest of the World game. To that point, Australia's bowlers had crushed some great batsmen, yet Sobers made our guys look like they were net bowlers. I saw a very young Border make a Shield century for NSW and that made him a favourite, as did Mark Taylor. In between I vividly remember a number of David Gower cover drives and flicks off the toes that seemingly had no power but slammed back off the fence. Kallicharan, Gomes, Lara, Graeme Smith, the list goes on but Sangakara from Sri Lanka has been a recent favourite, really loved watching him bat and I can't forget Gilchrist and Bevo, especially in the ODIs. I even remember Mark Greatbatch for his Perth marathon - hated him at the time but what a great innings for his side Wasim Akram, Mitch Johnston and Starc in full flight were awesome but I have a soft spot for your two quicks, Boult & Wagner, especially when they put the cleaners through England recently. In similar vein, I don't have a favourite game but lots of great memories of bits of games; * going to my very first Test match with my father in 1969 and seeing Clive Lloyd in the covers - he probably got my fascination with left handers started. Wes Hall cleaned bowled a batsman and the stump went back to the keepers feet. * sitting on the Hill on a very hot day when John Snow bounced Terry Jenner and the Poms walked off after thousands of cans flew onto the field * listening under the sheets to the 72 tour and hearing the commentators talk about Massie's 16 wickets * watching Lillee & Thompson bowling in 75 with the crowd screaming "Lilleeeeee, Lilleeee" Dougie's hundred with a 6 off the last ball in the same series * watching the first day/night game at the SCG * watching a day's cricket at Lords * Australia's tie in India * watching the 99 WC final from a bar in Turkey, surrounded by rabid Pakistani fans and being the only Aussie - had a great time There are so many more - terrific memories.
Neel
Roar Guru
Deano was a charachter. He was a gun batsman and one of Australia’s greatest ODI batsman of all time. He definitely could have had a longer career. His 200 I think it was, scored against India in Madras is definitely one of the Top 10 innings of all time. Geez, Chatfield was horrid with the bat. Kind of like Chris Martin. Akram is the greatest left arm bowler I have seen. He had every delivery type. Bowled so well on dead pitches in the subcontinent. There are arguments from many Pakistani cricket fans that if Pakistan’s fielding standards were better, then Akram could have finished with maybe 100 or even 200 more wickets in Tests and maybe ODIs. Great bowler though and that hatrick he took was just mesmerising.
Neel
Roar Guru
Cheers Geoff. Yeah, I think it does depend on generational gaps and perspective related to different generations. Also, Hadlee, didn’t seem too flamboyant and he just got on with the job. Right about the batting aspect. He definitely could have averaged mid 30s at least with the potential he had. He did score 1000 runs and he picked up 100 wickets in the one County season for Nottinghamshire, which indicates his bowling and batting talent. Great player nonetheless, and if NZ had a player like him in the squad, they would reach another level.
Neel
Roar Guru
His action was easy so easy to imitate. It is close to an ideal fast bowling action. Amazing player. He is an absolute icon.
Neel
Roar Guru
Yeah, John Bracewell. The Uncle of Doug and he had a brother I think as well. He was a good coach for New Zealand as well. Wow, Rafiqul, that’s really fascinating to hear. Sorry I got your name wrong. And Rafiqul, do you see upcoming talents coming from Bangladesh at this point?
Neel
Roar Guru
That’s great to hear man. I know I am not alone when it comes be being fascinated by most aspects of the game. The history and all the unforgettable events that have happened, especially over the last 40 years and all. Who’s your favourite player Paul and what’s your favourite match that you have seen till date?
Neel
Roar Guru
badmanners that’s an interesting story. Gee Paddles got a little greedy ayee.
Paul
Roar Guru
yeah I do comment a bit, probably because I'm fascinated by the game, not only what happens on the field, but all the behind the scenes goings on as well. I can't think of another sport in the world which affects so many people, that has such a rich history, yet still manages to shock and surprise, eg Sandpapergate! I have no doubt that Hadlee in the present NX side would make the team firm favourites for the World Cup and would probably have the team at the top of the Test rankings as well
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
‘What Would Lillee Do’. Great, great thinking bowling.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
And furthermore in a newspaper column Deano said he had taken a bet with Martin Crowe about who would score more runs in the series. Hadlee was all over the Aus batsmen and Deano in particular and by the end of the series Hadlee suggested in his column that if Deano wanted to win some money he might have been better off having the bet with the true-number-eleven Ewan Chatfield, test average 8.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
I remember the NZ victory at Mumbai in `1988 very well. For the first 3 days things were very tight. It was the 9th wicket stand between Smith and Bracewell on the 4th morning that gave the Kiwis the decisive advantage. I was a freshman at the Dhaka university at the time. I returned home from class to find that the Kiwis have posted a challenging target. I was happy because I was supporting them. Hadlee and Bracewell then destroyed the Indian batting in the 4th innings. IMO John Bracewell was a fine all round cricketer.
Peter Warrington
Guest
he was so smooth you could watch him bowl all day. just magnificent.
Peter Warrington
Guest
he was sublime and Jones ridiculous
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Thanks Neel, always good to read about Sir Richard. The only small thing I'd take issue with is that I don't think he was underrated at all - certainly not by opponents, and not really by media or opposing fans either. I agree with some of the guys above that his batting probably never quite reached the heights that he was capable of, but his bowling revolutionised NZ cricket in the TV age, for the first time, really giving Kiwi fans hope that NZ could more consistently bowl through sides rather than waiting for a declaration!
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Well, if you've got the All Blacks........ It's not surprising he gets overlooked. I still feel he (Or Akram) is the best bowler I've ever seen. I will never forget the 3 ball hatchet job he did on Dean Jones in Australia, 2 bouncers then the well pitched up outswinger sucker ball which Deano obligingly nicked. Thanks for coming.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Riccardo if I recollect correctly the car he wouldn't share with his team mates was the third he had won and the previous two had been sold and the proceeds distributed amongst the team. I wouldn't be put out if I was a team mate and he wanted to keep one for himself!
Neel
Roar Guru
Thank you so much for the feedback Riccardo. I appreciate the feedback and that’s an interesting point you made about Hadlee not being popular with his team-mates. I really cannot blame him for being selfish in that regard as he worked his backside off for the team. Imran Khan certainly was the best all-rounder out of those four great all-rounders. He was the better leader as well and his record against the Windies during their prime was simply phenomenal. To average around 20 against the Windies back then is some achievement. I do agree that Hadlee was the better all-rounder as opposed to Botham. Botham was great as well, but Hadlee’s bowling is in a league of its own. As for underrated players, yeah Glen Turner was masssively underrated. He averaged mid-40s in both Tests and ODIs, kind of like another NZ player named Ross Taylor. Turner had that record against such lethal bowlers and if I am not mistaken he was the leading run-scorer in the 1975/79 World Cup.
Neel
Roar Guru
Thanks a lot for your feedback Paul. I always see you comment on most cricket articles on Roar. Big fan mate? Yeah, the rivalry between him and Aussies was intense. I remember a section of the Melbourne crowd or one of the crowds chanting ‘Hadlee is a wanker’. As a bowler he is one of the greatest of all-time and apparently in 2002, the ICC ranked him the 2nd greatest bowler. Apparently, there were a few ego issues in the team back then. Few players had issues with Hadlee as someone in the comment section has stated. Ether way, Hadlee was a gun. He is in my top 5 bowlers of all time. True about NZ being strong back then. If Hadlee was in the current team, I reckon the team would be lethal.
Neel
Roar Guru
http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?271746-Is-Richard-Hadlee-underrated
Neel
Roar Guru
Yeah, the eras perspective and the fact he wasn’t as flashy or flamboyant as other bowlers is a part of the reason why I would say kind of underrated. This forum that I used for the article indicates some of the reasons why I feel he is underrated.