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Richard Hadlee as a batsman - how good was he? Overrated, underrated?

Pap Finn Keighl

Pap Finn Keighl

International Debutant
Athlai said:
It's always difficult to talk about the value of a #7 (or #8) batsman in a Test team. Outside of Gilchrist, none have ever really reached the lofty career peaks of a truly great middle order Test batsman. But he was every bit the batsman that Kapil was (can't wait for the Kapil diehards to talk about how many centuries he had ignoring entirely how many were made on dead pitches in meaningless draws).

Outside of Chris Cairns and Daniel Vettori, I don't think there was anyone better a batsman as he was in that position (if we exclude keepers) and those two are vastly inferior bowlers. Pollock/Kapil/Holder/(and Imran when he was actually a good bowler) were approximately at the same level.
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Pollock yes.. Imran may be.. Kapil was clearly better
 
Pap Finn Keighl

Pap Finn Keighl

International Debutant
subshakerz said:
First half of his career he was a no.8, second half a no.7.

I think Hadlee would be around Pollock level with the bat. Fairly useful, but I don't think he could make top 6 overall.
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Hadlee = Slightly better Mcgrath with Ball + slightly better Pollock with Bat
 
Neil Young

Neil Young

State Vice-Captain
Hadlee had a great eye, but was often found wanting against the short ball. Decent bat. Not quite a 7 for me.
 
Immenso

Immenso

International Vice-Captain
Burgey said:
Hadlee was really a very good lower order hitter for the most part. A moderate upgrade on Mitchell Johnson-level batting. Dangerous player when he got going but very hit or miss.
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In terms of style, eye test, and maybe attitude, I think M Johnson is the best comparison. But, yes, an upgrade.
 
Zinzan

Zinzan

Request Your Custom Title Now!
cnerd123 said:
by this dumb logic all of Kapil's wickets are worth more than any of Hadlee's given he had to bowl on those same dead pitches in meaningless draws
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Nice try, but Kapil averaged 29 with the ball in Asia vs. Hadlee's 21
 
thierry henry

thierry henry

International Coach
All I have to offer is that in the early 90s I had this VHS about the history of NZ cricket and Hadlee said of his own batting "if it was up, it was off....if it was short, I would be in some difficulty to say the least".

Like it's not a snappy quote or anything but it's weird I remember it word for word 30 years later.
 
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