Biography

Sir Richard Hadlee. Kt. Bach. M.B.E. Hon. DLitt
"The Master of Rhythm and Swing"

As described by the world's greatest batsman, Sir Donald Bradman said:
"Richard Hadlee was a left handed batsman who liked to hit the ball very hard. He was an accurate right arm swing and seam bowler with a good technique and fluent action, with an economic approach to the crease. He was the master of rhythm and swing."

Nickname:

"Paddles" - a name which was first given to him at intermediate school because of his large feet.

Born:

July 3, 1951, in St Albans, Christchurch New Zealand.

Education: Elmwood Primary School Fendalton Primary School Heaton Street Intermediate School Christchurch Boys' High School School Certificate 1968 University Entrance 1969 Cricket Career: Canterbury 1971 - 1990. Tasmania 1979 - 1980. Nottinghamshire 1978 - 1987. New Zealand 1972 - 1990.

Playing golf, watching movies, watching sport.

Other Interests:

1.The Bank of New Zealand's Ambassador (1990 - 2008) which involved public relations work.

2. International After Dinner, Seminar and Conference speaker.

3. NZC Selection Manager from 2000 - 2008 (selected Blackcap and NZ 'A' teams   etc).

4. NZC World Cup Project Manager for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

5. Supporting charities - The Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Trust; Heart Children New Zealand; Patron of the Kidz Zipper Club; Helped promote Prostate Cancer Awareness week in 2008/9.; Rotary (Mosgiel) - providing 'Shelter Box' (essential materials and supplies) awareness and support for those people who have had a devastating experience overseas.

6. Patron of the India New Zealand Business Council - to help develop trade between the two countries (2009-).

7. Consultant for the APL (The American Premier Cricket League) 2009.

Awards:

• Awarded the M.B.E. for services to New Zealand sport in 1981.
• Awarded a Knighthood for services to cricket in 1990.
• Winner of the Winsor Cup on 13 occasions, including 12 consecutive years, for the most meritorious bowling performance of the season.
• New Zealand Sportsman of the Year 1980.
• New Zealand Sportsman of the Year 1986.
• New Zealand Sportsperson of the last 25 years 1987 (shared with athlete, Sir John Walker).
• New Zealand Sportsperson of the Decade 1987.
• Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Letters from the Nottingham University, England, 2008.
• Awarded the Bert Sutcliffe Medal for Services to New Zealand Cricket in 2008.
• Inducted into the ICC/FICA World Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.
• Awarded the 'Altiora Peto' Medal from the High School Old Boys Association (Christchurch Boys High School) in 2009.

Career Achievements:

• Played 86 Test matches and 115 one-day internationals.
• Captured 431 Test wickets (a world record until Kapil Dev of India went beyond)
• Test Bowling Average, 22.29.
• Best bowling performance of 9 for 52 against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia in 1985-86.
• Highest test score of 151 not out against Sri Lanka.
• World record 10 wickets in a match 9 times.
• World record 5 wickets in a Test innings 36 times.
• Catches in Tests - 38.
• Wickets in all first class matches - 1490 at an average of 18.11.
• First class runs - 12,052 runs at an average of 31.17.
• Highest first class score - 210 not out against Middlesex at Lords in 1984.
• In 1984 - completed the rare feat of achieving the English County Double of scoring 1000 runs and taking 100 wickets in the same season (1179 runs at an average of 51.26 and 117 wickets at an average of 14.06).
• On five occasions - topped the first class bowling averages during the 10 seasons spent in English cricket.
• In 1987 - took 97 wickets and scored in excess of 1000 runs during the season
• On 102 occasions - took 5 or more wickets in an innings.
• Became the first bowler in Test history to capture 400 test wickets. This was achieved at Lancaster Park (Sir Richard's home ground), on 4th February 1990.
• Became the first player in Test history to achieve the double - capturing 400 wickets and scoring 3000 runs.
• Played against all the Test playing nations during his career and played in 22 Test winning teams - Australia, England, West Indies, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• Took a New Zealand record 33 wickets in a Test series v Australia in 1985-86, including 9-52 (15 wickets in the match) and caught the other batsman out, to feature on the scorecard 10 x in an innings in the Test at the Gabba.
• In 1983 at Christchurch, Sir Richard scored 99 against the Englishmen and captured 8 wickets in the match. The "Poms" could not reach a 100 in either innings and New Zealand won the test in 12 hours and one minute of play.
• At 56 years of age played in the NZ Cricket Beach team which defeated England in the final - Australia 2008.