Hadlee pushes Kiwis to series win
By A. C. De Silva
FLASHBACK: It was near Christmas time in 1985 and in the month of
December the New Zealand cricketers were in Australia, Perth to be their
exact location. Victory smiled on the New Zealanders in the Cricket Test
against Australia by 6 wickets. The Test was played on November 30,
December 1, 2,3, and 4.
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Richard Hadlee – the star New Zealand bowler had 5 for 65 in
first innings and 6 for 90 in second innings and Australia
were out for 203 in the first innings and 259 in the second
innings he helped New Zealand to beat Australia by 6 wickets
at Perth in December 1985 |
Alan Border – made 83 in the Australia 2nd innings score of
259, but he could not stop a New Zealand victory.
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This was New Zealand's first series victory against the Aussies and
it was a happy occasion, the only surprise was that it wasn't a clean
sweep. The Kiwis won easily in Brisbane, controlled the match for the
first four days in Sydney, before Coney's insipid captaincy on the last
day left Australia into the match and then dominated the proceedings in
the final Test in Perth.
Richard Hadlee-The ace pace bowler of New Zealand was named Man of
the Match, and also 'Man of the Series' and in reflection he really was
the difference between the teams.
Hadlee it was who turned the tide in New Zealand's favour in a
telling way and he had 33 wickets in three Tests which is ample
testimony to this and a victory to skill, application and the ability to
adapt to different types of wickets.
Whether it was the green, moist wicket of Brisbane or the brown
glassless wasteland of Sydney or the new uneven track of Perth, Hadlee
had the willing force to take the advantage of whatever assistance each
pitch gave. What a pleasant sight it was to see a game not dominated by
pace bowlers operating off runs that seemed so long that they almost
appeared to be pushing off the fence.
Uncanny Hadlee
Richard Hadlee - the chief medium-paceman of New Zealand from his
12-pace approach seldom bowled above medium pace and relied on movement
through the air and off the pitch and clever variation of pace and an
uncanny ability to spot the weakness of each batsman and hammer away
until the batsman got out.
Hadlee was an inspiration to watch and too much for the Australians.
At Perth he took a advantage of the newly laid pitch and always looked
like controlling the Aussies to a score that would be obtainable.
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David Boon of Australia scored 50 in the second innings
total of 259. |
To be honest, the pitch wasn't ideal for cricket and this was hardly
surprising for the whole square had been relaid and the wicket was
generally uneven and played at inconsistent heights throughout.
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Martin Crowe – made 71 out of 299 for New Zealand and was 42
not out when victory was achieved at 164 for 4 wickets in
2nd innings. |
Australia's inexperienced batsmen never looked like coming to terms
with a pitch that required the batsman to be constantly coming forward
to counter persistent shooters which threatened the toes and wicket.
Then the Kiwis had in Chatfield another bowler whose experience and
style was ideally suited to take advantage of much a pitch.
His probing accuracy an unfailing line was the perfect foil to
Hadlee.
This Hadlee-Chatfield combination was the perfect combination and
unfortunately for Australia it could not find a bowling team to match
this Kiwi pair.
The Aussie bowlers McDermott, Lawson and Gilbert with their extra
pace should have posed an even greater threat on such a track, but they
seldom mustered the correct line an length. Too often they strayed full
and down the leg side and the capable New Zealand batsman handled them
easily.
While Hadlee was the dominating bowler in the Kivi side, Edgar and
Wright were highly effective as an opening batting combination.
Edger (74) and Wright (20) were highly effective as opening batsmen.
In the first innings, they put on 43 runs, then in the second innings
Edgar (16) and Wright (35) put on 47 runs in their opening partnership.
The effective batting of this pair was somewhat of a toast to the
team.
Martin Crowe (71) and 42 not out in the second innings total of 164
for 4 wickets piloted his team to victory. Crowe is a top technician
with excellent bating credentials and a most pleasing style.
SCOREBOARD
Australia 1st Innings
W.B. Phillips c Smith b Chatfield 37
R.B. Kerr c Smith b Chatfield 17
D.C. Boon c Bracewell b Hadlee 12
A.R. Border c Smith b Hadlee 12
G.M. Ritchie lbw b Coney 06
D.W. Hookes c Bracewell b Coney 14
G.R.J. Mathews lbw b Hadlee 34
G.F. Lawson c J. Crowe b Hadlee 11
C.J. McDermott b Chatfield 36
D.R. Gilbert not out 12
R.G. Holland c M. Crowe b Hadlee 04
Extras (lb 6, nb 2) 08
Total 203
Fall of wickets; 1-38, 2-63, 3-78, 4-85, 5-85, 6-114
7-131, 8-159, 9-190
Bowling: R.J. Hadlee 26.5-6-65-5
B.L. Cairns 14-1-50-0
E.J. Chatfield 16-6-33-3
J.V. Coney 21-11-43-2
J.C. Bracewell 6-3-6-0
New Zealand 1st Innings
B.A. Edgar c Hookes b McDermott 74
J.G. Wright c Phillips b Lawson 20
J.F. Reid b Gilbert 07
M.D. Crowe lbw b McDermott 71
J.V. Coney c Phillips b Lawson 19
J.J. Crowe lbw b Holland 17
R.J. Hadlee c Hookes b Holland 26
I.D.S. Smith c Mathews b Lawson 12
J.C. Bracewell not out 28
B.L. Cairns c Ritchie b Holland 00
E.J. Chatfield c Phillips b Lawson 03
Extras (b1, lb7, nb14) 22
Total 299
Fall of wickets 1-43, 2-55, 3-184, 4-191, 5-215
6-253, 7-256, 8-273, 9-276
Bowling: G.F. Lawson 47-12-79-4
C.J. McDermott 33-9-66-2
D.R. Gilbert 31-9-75-1
R.G. Holland 40-12-63-3
G.R.J. Methews 5-3-6-0
D.W. Hookers 1-0-2-0
Australia 2nd Innings
W.B. Phillips c Smith b Chatfield 10
R.B. Kerr b Hadlee 00
D.C. Boon b Hadlee 50
A.R. Border b Hadlee 83
G.M. Ritchie C.M. Crowe b Coney 44
D.W. Hookes b Bracewell 07
G.R.J. Matthews lbw b Hadlee 14
G.F. Lawson b Hadlee 21
C.J. McDermott lbw b Bracewell 11
D.R. Gilbert b Hadlee 03
R.G. Holland not out 00
Extras (b 2, lb 5, nb 9) 16
Total 259
Fall of wickets; 1-3, 2-28, 3-109, 4-195, 5-207
6-214, 7-234, 8-251, 9-255
Bowling: R.J. Hadlee 39-11-90-6
B.L. Cairns 26-6-59-0
E.J. Chatfield 30-9-47-1
J.V. Coney 8-5-9-1
J.C. Bracewell 28.5-8-47-2
New Zealand 2nd Innings
B.A.C. Border b Mathews 16
J.G Wright b Gilbert 35
J.F. Reid c Phillips b Gilbert 28
M.D. Crowe not out 42
J.F. Coney b Gilbert 16
J.J. Crowe not out 02
Extras (b7, lb7, nb11) 25
Total (For 4 wickets) 164
Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-77, 3-121, 4-149.
Bowling: G.F. Lawson 21-7-35-0
C.J. McDermott 13-1-27-0
D.R. Gilbert 23-5-48-3
R.G. Holland 8-1-27-0
G.R.J. Mathews 9-3-13-1 |
