Sir Richard Hadlee

Sir Richard Hadlee is a motivational and after dinner speaker. He has many motivational messages to share on his life experiences – the good, the bad and the indifferent. He has strong values and explains what motivated him to reach the top of his game and how he has also overcome some serious health issues.

As an after dinner speaker, his presentations are witty, articulate and full of rich anecdotes from his playing career. The many confrontations with the best cricketers in the world are bound to produce memorable stories from the playing field and Sir Richard shares them with the best.

Sir Richard was voted the New Zealand Sportsperson of the Decade 1987 for his contribution to cricket. He took 431 test wickets, played 86 test matches and 115 one-day internationals and had a Test Bowling Average of 22.29.

Aptly described as “The Master of Rhythm and Swing”, Sir Richard Hadlee is one of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers. He competed with Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Imran Khan for recognition as best all-rounder in the world during the 1980’s. He has acknowledged Dennis Lillee as his great role model and recognition as the greatest fast bowler ever.

Sir Richard retired from international cricket in 1990 after capturing a wicket off the last ball he bowled in test cricket. He was knighted for services to cricket while still playing the game.

Sir Richard has had an amazing involvement in cricket as a player, selector, manager of NZA teams and as a NZC Board member. He has been a radio and television commentator and written 13 books. He has a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of cricket.

Awards and Recognitions:
•Awarded the M.B.E. for services to New Zealand sport in 1981.
•Awarded a Knighthood for services to cricket in 1990.
•New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year 1980 – supreme award.
•New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year 1986 – supreme award.
•New Zealand Sportsman of the Year 1987.
•New Zealand Sportsperson of the last 25 years 1987 (shared with athlete, Sir John Walker).
•New Zealand Sportsperson of the Decade 1989.
•Winner of the Winsor Cup on 13 occasions, including 12 consecutive years for the ‘Most Meritorious Bowling Performance’ of the season.
•Wisden ‘Cricketer of the Year’ 1982.
•The PCA (Professional Cricketer’s Association) ‘Player of the Year’ 1981, 1984, 1987.
•The Cricket Society Wetherall Award winner 4x times for the ‘Leading Allrounder of the Year’ in English County cricket 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987.
•Awarded a ‘Benefit’ year in 1986 by Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.
•Awarded a ‘Testimonial’ year in 1989/90 by Canterbury Cricket.
•In December 2002 he was chosen by Wisden as the 2nd greatest test bowler of all time.
•Became the ’12th Best cricketer of All Time’ in ESPN’s Legends of Cricket.
•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.
•In March 2009 he was commemorated as one of the twelve ‘Local Heroes of Canterbury’ and a bronze bust of him was unveiled at the Christchurch Arts Centre.
•Inducted into the ICC/FICA World Cricket Hall of Fame in April 2009.
•Awarded the ‘Altiora Peto’ Medal from the High School Old Boys Association (Christchurch Boys High School) in 2009.
•Inducted to Life Membership of New Zealand Cricket in 2010.
•Inducted as a ‘Canterbury Sporting Legend’ in 2010.
•Became a ‘Bradman Honouree’ at the Bradman Gala Dinner in 2011. Also inducted into the International Cricket Hall of Fame (as one of the legends of the game) at the Bradman Museum in Bowral, Australia.
•NZ Cricket named ‘The Supreme Cricketer of the Year Award’ as ‘The Sir Richard Hadlee Medal’ in 2011 (this award compares with ‘The Allan Border Medal’ as the Supreme Award for Australian cricketers).
•’Brand Laureate Legendary Award 2015′ from the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation for services to sport and being an excellent role model.