Hadlee, Botham ‘giants of one-day game’

Press, 7 January 1983, Page 22

Hadlee, Botham ‘giants of one-day game’

NZPA Sydney The performances of Richard Hadlee and England’s lan Botham will be instrumental in determining the outcome of the one-day cricket series starting on Sunday, according to the Australian fast bowler, Dennis Lillee.

Writing for the Melbourne “Sun” yesterday he said the international Benson and Hedges one-day series would feature two of cricket’s limited-over giants. “England’s lan Botham and New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee are two of the best limited-over cricketers I have ever seen — and unfortunately, two of the most experienced,” he said. “Hadlee, extremely fast at his top, tends to slow down in the one-dayers, and concentrate on line and length. He can be difficult to score off.

“As for his batting, he is one of the cleanest hitters I have played against. The middle order is often required to chase runs and Hadlee is the ideal batsman in such a situation,” said Lillee.

He said that on top of their batting and bowling qualities Hadlee and Botham were superb fieldsmen with superb throwing arms. “With these two leading the way, the limited-over matches will be close and it would be impossible to even suggest a favourite,” he said.

Lillee said that the Australian batsmen had adapted to one-day cricket conditions but the same could not be said for the bowlers. “It is inbred in Australian pacemen to attack the batsmen, but the limited-over approach is entirely different,” said Lillee.

“It calls for a negative approach, to keep the run rate in check rather than take wickets.” However, Lillee said he felt Australia’s impressive fast bowlers had enough experience to change their, ap-

proach and should be able to do it.

“If they can, the limitedover matches should be evenly balanced ” he wrote. The itinerary for the World Series Cup games in Australia and the hours of play (N.Z. time) are:— • January fl—New Zealand v. Australia, Melbourne, noon-7.45 p.m.

• January 11—Australia v. England, Sydney, 4.30 p.m.12.15 a.m.

• January 13—New Zealand v. England, Melbourne, noon-7.45 p.m. • January 15—New Zealand v. England, Brisbane, 1 p.m.-8.45 p.m. • January 16—Australia v. England, Brisbane, 1 p.m.8.45 p.m. • January 18—New Zealand v. Australia, Sydney, 4.30 p.m.-12.15 a.m. • January 20—New Zealand v. England, Sydney, 4.30 p.m.-12.15 a.m. • January 22—New Zealand v. Australia, Melbourne, noon-7.45 p.m. • January 23—Australia v. England, Melbourne, noon7.45 p.m.. ' • January 26—Australia v. England, Sydney, 4.30 p.m.12.15 a.m.

• January 29—New Zealand v. England, Adelaide, 12.30 p.m.-8.15 p.m. • January 30—Australia v. England, Adelaide, 12.30 p.m.-8.15 p.m. • January 31—New Zealand v. Australia, Adelaide, 12.30 p.m.-8.15 p.m. • February s—New Zealand v. England, Perth, 3.30 p.m.-11.15 p.m; • February 6—New Zealand v. Australia, Perth, 3.30 p.m.-11.15, p.m. Finals I .—

• February 9—Sydney, 4.30 p.m.-12.15 a.m. • February 13—Melbourne, noon-7.45 p.m. • February 16—Sydney, 4.30 p.m.-12.15 a.m. Additional non-cup. match: January 24-26, New Zealand v. A.C.T., Canberra, 1 p.m.-8 p.m.