Richard Hadlee used subtle variations in his bowling to unsettle Australia's batsmen and drive New Zealand's historic test series win 30 years ago. His subtle approach extends to trash talk, too.
Hadlee took 9-52, and held a catch to contribute to the 10th wicket, as the New Zealanders stunned Australia in the first innings at the Gabba in 1985 before claiming their first ever test win on Australian soil. Hadlee finished with 15 wickets for the match. He ended the three tests with 33 wickets to help New Zealand to a 2-1 triumph, its only test series win in Australia.
"It was the peak of my bowling career, without doubt," said Hadlee, who collected 431 wickets in 86 tests between 1973 and 1990. "That was significant in our cricket history. It was something that had been irking New Zealand cricketers for many years."
Hadlee said a 1981 tour had "haunted us" and leading into the'85 series, "there was no signal at all that anything special or sensational was going to happen."
He said in two warmup games, he'd taken one wicket and conceded 149 runs and was having trouble getting his run-up right. Glenn Turner, then New Zealand coach, told Hadlee he was bowling too wide of the crease and the pair worked on adjusting the problem by working out where the umpire would stand in relation to the delivery strides. Turner left Hadlee on his own, leaving a rubbish bin on the mark where the umpire would stand so that fast bowler could refine his technique.
"So really, it was a rubbish bin that helped defeat Australia in that series," Hadlee said, certainly not the first time he's delivered that line.
Still, it was an element of banter, which has been a theme this week. The Australian cricketers are renowned for being aggressive in pursuit of wins, while the New Zealanders have opted out of the so-called "sledging" under Brendon McCullum's watch. McCullum said the New Zealanders were not good at it, but he knows a few choice words or phrases in the right forum can irritate an opponent.
Hadlee, 64, who was at the Gabba on Wednesday on the eve of the test that will kick start the trans-Tasman contest that has become known as the Chappell-Hadlee series, has endured some verbal sledging from Australians on and off the field and said he's happier to take the quieter path.
"That's the way (Australians) approach the game, so be it," he said. "Our approach will be to ignore all that and just get on and play the game as hard and as fair as we can. Let all the talking be done with the skills.
"I have no problems with banter and confrontation, but there is a line. Captains around the world are instructed that the spirit of the game still needs to prevail."
For his part, McCullum is focused on the series starting Thursday rather than looking back at '85.
"Maybe some guys in the team will call on that as a bit of inspiration, but it's not something we've talked about in the group," he said. "It's going to be a great series to be part of. I'm pretty confident our guys will play well and, if we are beaten, then we'll make it bloody tough for them."
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.