The 300-wicket man

Press, 27 February 1986, Page 27

The 300-wicket man

By

JANET WILSON

Richard Hadlee is at the zenith of his powers as the result of his assertive bowling and astonishing results in the test series against Australia across the Tasman earlier this summer.

His extraordinary achievements of taking 300 test wickets, claiming 15 in one international and 33 in a three-match series have all been added to his glowing list of feats this season.

But after 14 years as the sharpest prong in New Zealand’s seam bowling attack, he laments the absence of promising speedsters to vie for his mantle. He feels the pitches are too slow so there is no incentive to develop fast bowling. "If I had my time again I wouldn’t do it the way I did. There’s not enough discipline for the young fast bowler, so he won’t train properly.”

How did Hadlee make the transition from playing for the New Zealand side to English county cricket?

“When I turned professional in 1978 I learned more in six weeks than I’d learned in the previous six years. I followed a daily routine of exercise to improve my mind-body co-ordination; this professional attitude helped my game and make it three times better. “I’ve also been on Trevor Tunnicliffe’s commando course in Nottingham. But my body is not really geared to it; so I’ve modified the course. As a professional I play 11 months in the year.” New Zealand cricket

has gained an international reputation over the last five years.

“In 1980 the New Zealand side beat the West Indies against all the odds,” Hadlee said. "We haven’t lost a home test series for the last five years. Geoff Howarth was a factor in this improvement, but it is also a credit to all those who have played and who have adopted a professional attitude and become self-reliant. “The fact that test matches are now attracting greater crowds and the one-day matches are attracting crowds of up to 40,000 helps the New Zealand side to play with more confidence. In terms of individual ability the best New Zealand side was that of 1973; but overall the standard has improved.” Hadlee agreed that the _ one-day matches had helped considerably in New Zealand’s new international reputation.

“New Zealand wins 50 per cent of its one-day matches and is on a par with the West Indies, which wins 60 per cent. Some players like Lance Cairns are ideally suited to one-day cricket, as are the ‘containment bowlers’ — those who bowl to keep the batsmen down to the fewest possible runs but not to get them out.

“The other factor is that there has been a levelling-out in international cricket. The West Indies are at present the champions, but New Zea-

land has beaten Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; they are winning away from home whereas they didn’t before. Now that players from many Commonwealth countries are playing county and league cricket in the U.K. and are playing all year round, they’ve acquired equal strength internationally. This professionalism works on the field.” When Hadlee was asked what difference being a famous professional cricketer meant to his life personally he was quick to reply. “Our life looks glamorous, but it’s really taxing. While on tour we sleep in strange beds and spend much of our time catching planes; in fact most of our time belongs to other people. The pressure of performing and of always being in the public eye means that we have no privacy. We’re exposed to scandals more than most people and so we’ve got to be seen to be doing the right thing.

“As far as I’m concerned, the biggest thing is to keep performing and to look after myself by not going in for any excesses.

“Of course professional cricket isn’t as well paid as professional golf or tennis. For example, the tour allowance for the West Indies was $lO,OOO for the whole family; and air fares had to come out of that.” In addition to the disruption that being on tour

causes is the upheaval that comes from living six months of each year in two different countries. Richard and Karen Hadlee and their children alternate their Harewood property and rented accommodation in Nottingham, where they live in a different house every year. There are disadvantages. Nicholas, their oldest son, has to adjust to different schools every six months. And Karen observed that having a kitchen on each side of the world posed difficulties. “For example I might find that I lack an egg beater in Nottingham, but

I know I’ve got one here. But when we’re packing I don’t want the additional inconvenience of taking my beater to Britain.” Moving is a problem. Karen said that for herself and the two boys she allows two cases and a hand grip. Richard said he carries a helmet, a pair of boots, a medical kit and two bats, but no whites, as he keeps a complete set in each country. Altogether the Hadlees count as their moveable possessions 22 cartons, four cases, five hand grips and two buggies. But these six-monthly moves for the Hadlees will soon be over. They are planning to live permanently here after Richard gets his benefit from

Nottinghamshire; he may even retire from competitive cricket then. He describes their Highsted , Road property as "a little paradise away from the troubles of the world.” And what of Nicholas and Matthew Hadlee, and their possible future as cricketers? Richard and Karen agree that they would never push them towards the game, although it would be fine by them if they wanted to play. i “At this early stage f think Nicholas is handier with a pen than with a bat,” quipped Karen. Richard Hadlee has an- ; other string to his bow besides cricket. Since ■ 1978 he has written five books, two of which were ’ co-authored. His most rei cent, “On the Double,” ’ has sold over 2000 copies ■ in the U.K. and over ■ 10,000 copies in New Zeai land. He said "This was

mainly Tony Francis’s idea; he spoke to me and recorded it on tape; it’s based mainly on my achievements of last year which is the first time anyone has scored the double in the last thirteen to nineteen years.”

The other books are “Hadlee” (an autobiography), “Hadlee on Cricket” (a coaching book), “Hadlee Hits Out” and “Hadlee’s Humour.”

Not surprisingly, Hadlee is considering alternative careers in radio, public relations or by working freelance as a sports journalist or commentator when he retires.

Of the great names in cricket Hadlee said that the Australian Dennis Lillee is probably one of his greatest heroes; he admired his attributes and the fact that he trained and returned from a nasty injury. “He was aggressive and

confident with his matchwinning bowling. Technically he was superb,” he said.

“But, statistically Gary Sobers must be the greatest cricketer. lan Botham has taken more wickets than him, but he's 3000 runs fewer than Sobers. However, by today’s standards, the last decade has to be one of the best in cricket” About his own skills Hadlee is quite clear. “My batting has now reached its peak. Previously I never took it seriously and I batted ninth. I put all my energy and effort into my bowling. But recently I’ve had more responsibility as a player; my attitudes and techniques have changed and I’m now more selective; consequently my results are better.” And after his great deeds in Australia, who would disagree?