Richard Hadlee aiming for big test targets

Press, 27 February 1984, Page 21

Richard Hadlee aiming for big test targets

NZPA staff correspondent Auckland Richard Hadlee, named on Saturday as man of the series in New Zealand’s summer crusade against England, says he will probably start to enjoy his cricket more when he has completed the double of 2000 runs and 200 wickets in test cricket. He has the wickets — 212 in all — and is just 255 short of the runs. “Now I’m after those 2000 test runs,” he said. “When I get them I will be one of only six to have the 2000 runs, 200 wickets double in tests and I think when that’s behind me I might start enjoying my cricket more. “It might take a year to get there. Sri Lanka might reduce the number of runs I need, and Pakistan might reduce it a bit more. Any

runs I get after that will be a bonus. There will be less pressure on me and I will be able to enjoy my cricket more.” Hadlee leaves today with the New Zealand team for Sri Lanka, where three tests are to be played, but he is not yet prepared to commit himself over the tour of Pakistan later in the year. His prize for man of the series was a new car. In assessing its value, however, Hadlee confessed that the fighting spirit which brought him the award and has made him since his test debut 12 years ago one of the world’s most highly regarded all-rounders is ebbing. “I hope Notts (Nottinghamshire) will be wise enough to use me sparingly,” he said. “A county season can be very pairing

and I have no intention of playing every game. I hope officials at Notts will have the good sense to see that I’m used carefully. “I feel I’ve been bowling well lately and off a short run up. What’s more I’ve had some success this season and I think my run up is accepted here now.

“In Sri Lanka, and after that, I’ll be taking things as they come. No long-term plans. I’ll see how I feel.” It may be time for New Zealand cricket to face facts that at 32 Hadlee’s cricketing days are numbered. His expressed wish to bowl first change this summer rather than to continue as New Zealand’s bowling spearhead was viewed as so much heresy, but Hadlee defiantly retains the hope that one day soon it will be realised.