Richard Hadlee

New Zealand cricket legend and fast bowler who became the first player to take 400 Test wickets, knighted for services to cricket in 1990.

Sir Richard Hadlee is New Zealand cricket's greatest all-rounder and one of the finest fast bowlers of all time. He became the first bowler to take 400 Test wickets, doing so for a New Zealand side that often lacked batting depth. His classical high action, ability to swing the ball both ways, and aggressive lower-order batting made him a genuine match-winner who elevated New Zealand to a new level.

Hadlee was a right-arm fast-medium bowler who relied on accuracy, movement, and intelligent use of variations rather than raw pace. He possessed an economical action and exceptional control, able to move the ball both ways off the seam and through the air.

Hadlee transformed New Zealand cricket from minnows to a competitive Test nation and inspired a generation of fast bowlers worldwide.

• Knighthood (Sir Richard Hadlee) 1990 – first New Zealand cricketer to be knighted
• Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1982
• New Zealand Cricket's Cricketer of the Century 2000
• ICC Cricket Hall of Fame inductee 2009
• New Zealand Order of Merit – Officer (1993)
• First bowler in Test cricket history to take 400 wickets (1988)
• Nottinghamshire County Championship 1981 (with Nottinghamshire)
• Nottinghamshire County Championship 1987 (with Nottinghamshire)
• NatWest Trophy 1987 (with Nottinghamshire)
• Benson and Hedges Cup 1989 (with Nottinghamshire)
• New Zealand Player of the Year multiple times during 1980s
• BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year nomination 1988