Hadlee makes presence felt

Press, 26 July 1986, Page 76

Hadlee makes presence felt

NZPA staff correspondent London Richard Hadlee took just seven balls today to equal lan Botham’s test record for taking five wickets or more in an innings.

The New Zealand fast bowler had Phil Edmonds caught by Martin Crowe at third slip at the start of the third over of the second day, reducing England to 258 for six. The wicket meant Hadlee, who is playing his sixty-fourth test, has taken five wickets or more on 26 occasions, the same as the banned Botham.

These days, Hadlee says he has little interest in records and setting targets, preferring to play cricket on a day-to-day basis.

His increasing proximity to this record was, however, of great signifi-

cance to New Zealand’s cause. It was almost exclusively because of his bowling that England was restricted to 248 for five on the first day, a good but by no means impregnable position.

New Zealand’s decision to play just two seamers and two spinners placed a heavy burden upon Hadlee, and his response prevented England from reaching the position of power which often appeared within its grasp.

Today, with Hadlee refreshed, the long. England tail exposed and the new ball just six overs old, New Zealand had the opportunity to dismiss England cheaply enough for its powerful batting lineup to establish a significant advantage.

The loss of the toss yesterday was a severe blow for the tourists after they had opted to play a second spinner in Evan

Gray rather than the paceman Derek Stirling. Much of the New Zealand thinking concerned the likelihood that the Nursery end of the Lord’s pitch would turn late in the match, making batting last against spin hazardous.

The onus was, therefore, on New Zealand’s attack to make an early impact while there was still life in what would soon become a good batting wicket. Hadlee reacted in magnificent fashion, having the dangerous Graham Gooch dropped by John Bracewell at third slip in his first over, before the wicket-keeper, lan Smith, made no such mistake when the total was 27.

Hadlee could easily have had other wickets, notably that of a fortunate Hill Athey, but the attacking field set by the New Zealand captain, Jeremy Coney, meant his first

seven-over spell cost 38 runs. Hadlee’s remaining 18 overs, bowled in four spells, cost just 15 runs and netted the wickets of Athey (44), Martyn Moxon (74) and the England captain, Mike Gatting (2). Athey was caught at first slip by Jeff Crowe, who dislocated a thumb in the process, with Hadlee’s first ball after lunch. He struck two vital blows in quick succession after England had gone to tea excellently placed at 195 for two.

Moxon, who had made an assured test debut, was l.b.w. to Hadlee’s third ball after the break, and Gatting went two runs later, his middle stump taken out by a ball which nipped back from outside the off stump. The New Zealand cause was harmed when Coney, with Martin Crowe the chief reinforcement bowler, had to leave the

field towards the end of the morning session. He did not return, and spent the day having treatment for a strained muscle under his left armpit. Coney will not’ bowl again in the test, but the New Zealand cricket manager, Glenn Turner, said he was expected to bat. ENGLAND First innings G. A. Gooch c Smith b Hadlee 18 M. D. Moxon 1.b.w., b Hadlee 74 C. W. J. Athey c J. Crowe b Hadlee 44 D. I. Gower c M. Crowe b Bracewell 62 M. W. Gatting b Hadlee. . 2 P. Willey not out 27 P. H. Edmonds not out. . 6 Extras (b2, lb 7, nb6). ... 15 Total (for 5 wkts) 248 Fall: 27, 102, 196, 198, 237. Bowling: Hadlee, 25, 8, 53, 4; Watson, 17, 2, 42, 0; M. D. Crowe 8,1,38,0; Coney 4, 0,12, 0; Bracewell 26, 8, 65, 1; Gray 13, 9, 29, 0.