Hadlee vexed over contract

Press, 12 January 1987, Page 1

Hadlee vexed over contract

By

DON CAMERON

in Auckland Richard Hadlee; the champion all-rounder, is prepared to be available to play for New Zealand for the next three years, but is having difficulty in obtaining a three-year contract from the Cricket Council. The council’s board at its last meeting received a submission from Hadlee which suggested that the council put him under a three-year contract. The, board did not make tf sifisfcfSfoh; except that it asked its chairman, Mr Bob Vance, to discuss the suggestion with Hadlee. This has been done, but Hadlee said yesterday that he was not happy with the outcome, or the

likely direction of the meeting in Wellington on February 19. “I asked the board to consider a three-year contract for me which would give me some sort of security,” said Hadlee. “However, it seems possible that the board may adopt the policy that if I cut my contract with Nottinghamshire I would no longer be classed as a professional player.” i, Hadlee said the inference was that the board j might ask him to accept as .an. "amateur’ player. : “That kind of attitude would not help my ent thusiasm for cricket,” said f Hadlee. “It would leave r my future very messy and > I must say I am rather

disillusioned about it all. “If I am to look at my future in New Zealand only on a year-by-year basis then motivating myself will be a problem. If I am not totally committed to the game I will have to face this inner battle about what I am going to do. “I really need the incentive to put the work into my game, to keep on going.” Hadlee said he had made a written offer to Nottinghamshire about his. future with the county side; His future with the county? would depend on its reaction to his letter. “I have made a proposal to Notts that I would be available for all their

one-day matches next season, and a limited number of three-day games. If Notts get phased out of the one-day competitions I would return home earlier. I could be looking at a two, three or five month season depending on Notts results. “As far as three-day games are concerned I would be available for the home matches at Trent Bridge, and perhaps for some away games if conditions were likely to be suitable. * increasingly difficult getting around the world these days, finding accommodation in England, getting the family settled into a new place. “My son, Nicholas, is

five now and starting school, and I don’t want to uproot him too often.” Hadlee said his wife, Karen, would prefer not to go to Nottinghamshire this year. Having been granted a benefit with Nottinghamshire last year — which Hadlee estimates will bring him between £BO,OOO and £lOO,OOO taxfree — did not obligate him to return and play for the county. “A, benefit is for services rendered, not for what you might ..after jn the future. “I have left the door ajar with Notts, and I suspect they will accept my offer. If not, then that will close the door on England for me.”