Hadlee hits a new high

Press, 15 August 1984, Page 68

Hadlee hits a new high

NZPA London Richard Hadlee achieved a career-best 210 not out as Nottinghamshire romped to an easy win over Middlesex at the Lords cricket ground yesterday. The score was well clear of his previous best, 142 not out against Yorkshire at Bradford in 1981.

The Canterbury all-roun-der began the day on 127 and hung on to his wicket as Notts scored 344 in reply to Middlesex’s 152. Middlesex could manage just 149 in its second innings. “I’m very pleased, very pleased indeed and very weary. — but pleasantly weary,” a delighted Hadlee said after the match.

“And I’m pleased to do it at Lords, which is an occasion in itself, and against their attack, which is a good one.”

His performance in the match, which included taking five wickets, took him closer to becoming the first county player since Fred Titmus 17 years ago to

chieve the 1000-run 100wicket double. With six matches left this season, Hadlee needs 120 runs and 12 wickets to fulfil what he admitted had become a “bit of an obsession with me.” He said he came close in 1981, taking the required 100 wickets but failing by about 250 runs.

“It’s just something I want to do and get out of my system. There’s still some way to go, but barring injury and lack of batting opportunity it's very realistic.”

Hadlee’s double century innings began on Saturday. He went on to the field with Notts in dire straits at 17 for 4 and promptly set about ripping one of the best county attacks to shreds. He took 18 runs off the first over and 16 off the next and reached 50 off just 35 balls and 100 off 93. “I had a bit of luck but, generally speaking, I thought I played quite well,” he said.