As an opponent, Hadlee loved the Australians. In 16 Tests against them he claimed an amazing 130 wickets. Any side in world cricket would love to have his expertise against the men from Down Under.
By 1981, New Zealand had become an extremely competitive unit with players like Hadlee and Martin Crowe providing the side with a lot of class.
He continued to inspire his county over the years and the records continued to tumble in the wake of his amazing performance. When he retired at the grand old age of 39, he held the world record for most wickets in Tests (431); the most five-wicket hauls in an innings: 36 times, and 10 wickets in a match: 9 times.
He was knighted for his services to cricket in 1990 and remains the only Kiwi cricketer to receive the honour.
