It is not uncommon for cricketers to reflect on events that happened during their career, and there will be quite a lot to mull over if someone like Sir Richard Hadlee, who spent around four decades in cricket in various capacities, goes back in time.
He chronicled his glittering cricketing career in his autobiography “Rhythm and Swing”, which gave an insight into his approach, commitment, and recipe for success.
Turmoil
The book was inspiring and drew a lot of appreciation. But it gave the impression that there was nothing more to Hadlee than his cricketing genius, since he never brought in his personal element into the picture. If there is something completely different about “Changing Pace,” the book under review, it is that Hadlee has chosen to lift the veil, revealing more of his persona.
Hadlee's account of the turmoil he went through in his personal life is touching and brings to light the fact that for all his apparent toughness, which was conspicuous during his cricketing career, he is a very emotional human being.
The passion he has for New Zealand cricket comes across sharply as he narrates the challenges he encountered as a selector in his bid to improve the selection process. The most remarkable thing, however, is that he has worn several caps and displayed the same commitment right through.
Disappointment
Occasionally, he strikes a note of disappointment that his level of commitment is not matched by others in the fraternity. Then of course, he always set high standards for himself even in the minutest of things. To cite one such incident to which I was privy but does not find a place in the book: He was the manager of the New Zealand Academy team that came to Chennai a few years ago.
During a training session the players had left behind empty water bottles on the field. Sir Richard Hadlee managed to lay his hands on a cardboard box and coolly got into the act of clearing the field! Asked about it, he casually said that the current generation of cricketers has little respect for their workplace.
Dignity
The modesty and dignity with which Sir Richard fulfilled his responsibilities as a selector and brand ambassador is chronicled exceptionally well, and one cannot help admiring the legend as an individual as well.
He never allowed his ego to interfere with his job as a selector despite being subjected to severe criticism by the media. No less admirable is the fact that he devoted his post-retirement years to the betterment of cricket in his own country.
As a dutiful descendant, he upheld the tradition of the Hadlee family and served the game and the country he loved in a lion-hearted manner.
His memoir is explicit and covers a wide range of topics, besides highlighting the difficulties that even a legend like Hadlee encountered in accomplishing the mission of setting the house in order.
The book is an interesting read for the discerning and, if anything is missing at all, it is the “masala” element. But then, one cannot really associate Hadlee with ‘masala', given his upright personality.
