To sit next to a man who took 431 Test wickets in 86 Tests with far
more 5 wicket hauls than anyone else, was in itself an experience. A
man who scored 1000 runs and took 100 wickets in a season of county
cricket in England. A man who was on the scoreboard for all ten
dismissals in an innings including returns of 9/52. A man who scored
99 against England in a match where England made 82 & 93 in the two
innings. A man who was knighted for his achievements on the cricket
field. Sitting at the edge of the outfield in a match between New
Zealand Cricket Academy and a local team at Chennai, Sir Richard
Hadlee spoke in depth, exclusively to CricInfo's Anand Vasu about his
journey from being "Paddles" to "Sir Richard."
You were one of the most accomplished all rounders of your
times. People talk about the 15/123 you took against Australia in
Brisbane in 1985-86. Would that be the most memorable moment of your
playing career?
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Looking back, you took ten wickets in a match many times. However
the very first Test match you played for New Zealand must have
been a special moment
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Your first 10-wicket haul came against India, including a burst of 7
wickets that came in 8.3 overs. That must have been a particularly
lethal spell of bowling.
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You brought up consistency. You were known for your line and length
and yet bowled with good pace. How difficult was it to strike a
balance between striving for pace and being accurate?
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Though you did considerably well with the ball, you don't seem to have
fulfilled your potential with the bat. In all the Tests you played you
made just 2 centuries. Do you regret that?
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The 151 not out against Sri Lanka in 1986-87 must have been special.
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You set the benchmark for the maximum number of wickets in Test
cricket. After that it's been medium pacers who have overtaken the
record. Do you find that surprising given the fact that spinners bowl
longer spells and indeed have longer careers?
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You are now an icon of New Zealand cricket. People look up to you,
idolise you even. Who were your idols when you grew up?
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New Zealand cricket has not really been littered with flamboyant
characters. After you there was Martin Crowe and now Chris
Cairns. There have been many changes to the way New Zealand cricket is
run in the recent past, with Chris Doig taking over and things like
that?
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Although the methods used in coaching, playing and running cricket
seem to have become more scientific, we don't seem to producing all
rounders of the class of yesteryears?
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One of the highest moments of your life must certainly have been when
you were knighted. What is it like to have the best part of the world
call you Sir Richard Hadlee, while your close friends in the cricket
world call you 'Paddles'?
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In your cricketing life you've achieved more than what most people can
dream of. What goals have you set for yourself now?
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