Richard Hadlee Says Test Cricket Must Be 'Preserved' At All Costs

Former New Zealand bowling legend Sir Richard Hadlee has in his latest interview, urged people to ‘preserve’ Test cricket, while he also added that Twenty20 cricket will not survive without Test cricket.

In his illustrious career, the 69-year-old Hadlee, who’s suffering from cancer, had played 86 Tests, amassing 431 wickets and 3124 runs in the purest format of the gentleman’s game.

Besides, Hadlee said that all three formats of cricket can co-exist, however, a balance must be created between Test, ODIs and T2oIs.

Test cricket is the foundation and it must be preserved: Richard Hadlee

Speaking to news agency PTI, the former Kiwis great made his preferences very clear, while going on to add that a balance must be created between all formats of cricket.

Hadlee said, “Test cricket must be preserved. It’s the foundation on which the game is based. So we must look after the five-day game. Certainly with the emergence of T20 cricket which is a revolution in the game, all three formats need to live together. They can co-exist but I hate to see that T20 cricket will dominate world cricket.”

He added, “Probably too much T20 cricket is played around the world. But I hope that the game doesn’t try to just survive through T20 cricket because T20 cricket is not real cricket. Real cricket is Test cricket.”

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T20 Cricket has produced more skilful players: Hadlee

Despite his criticism of T20 cricket, Hadlee did admit that the shorter format has produced more skilful players.

“I am not saying they are better players but they are certainly more skilful. Because of different formats that they play, they have to adapt to different situations particularly in T20 which is a high-risk game anyway with all the trick shots that they play,” he stated. 

Hadlee further added, “The T20 generation bowlers today have for at least five variations. They bowl different deliveries like a knuckleball, back of the hand slower one. Back in my time, I only had two variations (inswinger and outswinger). That’s all I needed,” said the veteran who is widely regarded as one of the best bowlers of all time. 

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