'Magic hands’ help Hadlee

Press, 24 February 1988, Page 20

'Magic hands’ help Hadlee

PA Auckland The New Zealand cricket ace, Richard Hadlee, turned to a medical alternative yesterday in his bid to overcome the calf muscle injury that threatens his participation in the second cricket test against England which starts tomorrow. Doug Whitcombe is a Helensville resident with a reputation among Auckland sportsmen for his magic hands. He labels himself a manipulative therapist, has worked with the North Harbour repre-

senranve rugby side and claims the All Black first five-eighth, Frano Botica, as one of his “patients.” He had never met Hadlee but was aware of the champion bowler’s injury and so made contact, laid down his credentials and offered his services when the New Ze.aland team checked into its hotel yesterday. Hadlee strained the calf muscle in his right leg early in the first test in Christchurch 10 days ago, frustrating his attempt at becoming the most prolific wicket-taker in test cricket.

Hadlee and Mr Whitcombe met at Eden Park just prior to the New Zealand team’s afternoon net practice and with formalities out of the way jogged a few circuits of the park. They then disappeared into a dressing room under the main stand from which, to the bemusement of the gathered press men, shouts of real pain reverberated through the empty hallways. “If you hit the spot, you get the response,” Mr Whitcombe said after-

wards when quizzed about the yells. “I worked his calf with the thumbs and liniment and I’ll give him another rub today,” he said. “There’s no doubt he really wants to play and I don’t think it (the injury) is too bad. I think he’ll nlav.” Hadlee said he had used the rubbing technique a few years ago and found it had done some good. “They get the blood circulating and that gets rid of uric acid, dried blood and other bits and pieces floating around the system.”