The records and statistics aside, Hadlee served as a model for anyone aspiring in sport – his metronomic efficiency, his economy of movement, his athleticism, his professionalism. Hadlee’s world record of 431 test wickets was surpassed – but the measure of Hadlee’s achievements for New Zealand cricket will never be. Hadlee played in 86 tests between 1973 and 1990 for a highest score of 151 not out and a batting average of 27.16. His 431 wickets came at an average of 22.29 runs each, with best bowling of nine for 52 against Australia – and he had a hand in the 10th wicket as well in that innings when he took the catch. He took five wickets in an innings an extraordinary 36 times and 10 wickets in a match on nine occasions. Hadlee was knighted in 1990 for his contributions to cricket – the only New Zealand cricketer to be honoured in such a way. Hadlee became chairman of the New Zealand selectors in 2000. Return to the Inductee list